Prostaglandins, Immunoglobulins

Prepared by Dr. Poonam Mondal

 Prostaglandins

Thinking they had come from the prostate gland, they were named as prostaglandins.
However, It has since been determined that they exist and are synthesized in virtually every
cell of the body.
Prostaglandins, are like hormones in that they act as chemical messengers, but do not move
to other sites, but work right within the cells where they are synthesized.
Structure: Prostaglandins are unsaturated carboxylic acids, consisting of a 20 carbon
skeleton that also contains a five member ring. They are biochemically synthesized from the
fatty acid, arachidonic acid.
Eg. Prostanoic acid

They are most potent biologically active substances; as low as one nanogram/ml of PG will
cause smooth muscle contraction.
 Functions of Prostaglandins

There are a variety of physiological effects including:

1. Activation of the inflammatory response, production of pain, and fever. When tissues are
damaged, white blood cells flood to the site to try to minimize tissue destruction.
Prostaglandins are produced as a result.
2. Blood clots form when a blood vessel is damaged. A type of prostaglandin called
thromboxane stimulates constriction and clotting of platelets.
3. Certain prostaglandins are involved with the induction of labor and other reproductive
processes. PGE2 causes uterine contractions and has been used to induce labor.
4. Prostaglandins are involved in several other organs such as the gastrointestinal tract
(inhibit acid synthesis and increase secretion of protective mucus), increase blood flow in
kidneys.
 Effects of Aspirin and other Pain Killers:

When you see that prostaglandins induce inflammation, pain, and fever, what comes to
mind but aspirin. Aspirin blocks an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2.
By inhibiting or blocking this enzyme, the synthesis of prostaglandins is blocked, which in
turn relives some of the effects of pain and fever.
Aspirin is also thought to inhibit the prostaglandin synthesis involved with unwanted blood
clotting in coronary heart disease. At the same time an injury while taking aspirin may
cause more extensive bleeding.
 Immunoglobulin or Antibody

An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large, Y-shaped protein

produced mainly by plasma cells that is used by the immune system to
neutralize pathogens such as bacteria and viruses
 Antibodies act as a critical part of the immune response by specifically
recognizing and binding to particular antigens, such as bacteria or viruses
and aiding in their destruction
Structure

four polypeptide chains:

Two identical heavy (H) chains
Two identical light (L) chains.
Within the immunoglobulin, disulphide bonds join together:
Two heavy chains
Heavy chains to the light chains
The disulphide bonds joining the antibody heavy chains are located in a flexible region
of the heavy chain known as the hinge region.
Each arm of the antibody is composed of four domains:
2 variable domains (VH, VL)
2 constant domains (CH, CL)
The variable domains are attached to the constant domains.
As the name implies, the variable domains vary in their amino acid sequence
from one antibody molecule to another, providing the vast diversity the
immune system needs to fight foreign invaders.
Types of Immunoglobulins
Depending on the heavy chain make up, the immunoglobulins are
differentiated into 5 major classes. For ex. In the case of lgG, H chains are
composed of 440 amino acids and L chains made up of 214 amino acids

1. Immunoglobulin-G (lgG) is made up of heavy

chain (gamma)
2. lgM has (mu) heavy chain
3. lgA has (alpha) heavy chain
4. lgD contains (delta)
5. lgE heavy chain is called (epsilon)
 FUNCTIONS OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS

A. Antigen binding
Immunoglobulins bind specifically to one or a few closely related antigens. Each immunoglobulin
actually binds to a specific antigenic determinant. Antigen binding by antibodies is the primary
function of antibodies and can result in protection of the host.

B. Binding to various cell types - This binding can activate the cells to perform some function.
Some immunoglobulins also bind to receptors on placental trophoblasts, which results in transfer of
the immunoglobulin across the placenta. As a result, the transferred maternal antibodies provide
immunity to the fetus and newborn