Webpage Dictionary
Epitope - the smallest structural area on an antigen that can be recognized by an antibody
Autoimmune Response - when the immune system attacks itself and the body
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) - glycoprotein molecule that is the primary antibody in Celiac disease
T-cell - lymphocyte that is derived from the thymus, the main organ of the lymph system
T-1 helper cell - used by the immune system to recognize the epitope of a specific antigen
Antibody - protein produced by the immune system that reacts specifically with an antigen
Pathogenesis - progression of the disease; how it manifests in the body
Enzyme - protein that catalyzes a specific reaction
Antigen - a substance that induces an immune response
Histocompatibility Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) - group or complex of cells that tell the body if something is foreign. They are genetically linked to each individual.
Gliadin(s) - the broken down portions of gluten that have the antigenic epitopes
X-ray Crystallography - technique that uses x-rays and a crystallized form of the molecule to determine its structure
Mass Spectrometry - ionized molecules are passed through a vacuum with a magnetic or electric field to determine their mass
Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry - the sample of proteins is passed through a charged needle at a high electric potential which transforms the sample into a fine mist that is passed through a vacuum in the same manner as mass spectrometry (note: the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to individuals developing this technique)
PCR - amplification (or cloning ) of a small segment of DNA from a larger sample
HPLC - use of high pressure pumps and column chromatography to more accurately separate a sample of proteins
SDS-PAGE - use of a detergent (SDS) to unify the different charges associated with a sample of proteins and gel electrophoresis to separate the proteins based on their molecular weights
Gel Electrophoresis - the separation of molecules by the use of an electric field
Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation
ELISPOT assays
Applied Biosystems Procise protein sequencer - automated machine used to sequence the amino acids present in a protein
LC-MS/MS/UV - uses a combination of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and ultraviolet photometry
Anion Exchange Chromatography - separates a sample of proteins based on their net charge
Regiospecificity - the reactants of a reaction combine in a specific geometric orientation to yield a specific product
Recombinant Technology - taking DNA from one organism apart and rejoining it with DNA from another organism
Glutamine - one of the twenty essential amino acids and the most prevalent one found in the gliadin proteins
Glutamic Acid - one of the twenty essential amino acids and the product residue of the reaction of the gliadin peptides with tissue transglutaminase
Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) - enzyme found in the intestinal tract that is the catalyst for the deamination of glutamine to glutamic acid
Residue - portion of an amino acid that is a part of a larger peptide
Amino Acids - the essential building blocks of all proteins and therefore life
Pepsin, Trypsin, and Chymotrypsin - enzymes found in the digestive tract that break down proteins
