Ig epsilon chain C region is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''IGHE''

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

Function

IGHE (Immunoglobulin Heavy constant Epsilon), (located on

chromosome A chromosome is a package of DNA containing part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes, the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with nucleosome-forming packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells, the most import ...

14 for humans) has been predicted to enable antigen binding activity and immunoglobulin receptor binding activity. Predicted to be involved in several processes, including activation of immune response; defense response to other organism; and

phagocytosis Phagocytosis () is the process by which a cell (biology), cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle (≥ 0.5 μm), giving rise to an internal compartment called the phagosome. It is one type of endocytosis. A cell that performs ph ...

. IGHE has also been predicted to be located in extracellular region, a part of immunoglobulin complex, circulating, and active in external side of

plasma membrane The cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of a cell from the outside environment (the extr ...

Structure

* IGHE (immunoglobulin heavy constant epsilon): The gene that encodes the ε heavy chain constant region for the IgE antibody. This gene is critical for the production and function of IgE in the body. The IGHE gene provides instructions for making a part of an antibody (

immunoglobulin An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as pathogenic bacteria, bacteria and viruses, includin ...

) called Immunoglobulin E, or IgE. * IGHE is a type of functioning gene, with four Ig domains, member of the IGH constant gene cluster (component on the cluster), forming an

homodimer In biochemistry, a protein dimer is a macromolecular complex or protein multimer, multimer formed by two protein monomers, or single proteins, which are usually Non-covalent interaction, non-covalently bound. Many macromolecules, such as proteins ...

of two E heavy chains bound by two

disulfide bonds In chemistry, a disulfide (or disulphide in British English) is a compound containing a functional group or the anion. The linkage is also called an SS-bond or sometimes a disulfide bridge and usually derived from two thiol groups. In in ...

, each heavy chain is bound to a light chain (kappa or lambda), the N terminus of the heavy chain is bound to a V segment.

Allergies

Immunoglobulins also known as antibodies, are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells (white blood cells). They 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. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) are antibodies produced by the immune system. Each type of IgE has specific "radar" for each type of allergen. That's why some people are only allergic to cat dander (they only have the IgE antibodies specific to cat dander); while others have allergic reactions to multiple allergens because they have many more types of IgE antibodies. IgE-mediated food allergies is when the immune system reacts abnormally when exposed to one or more specific foods such as milk, egg, wheat or nuts. All of these foods can trigger anaphylaxis (a severe, whole-body allergic reaction) in patients who are allergic. Individuals with this type of food allergy will react quickly — within a few minutes to a few hours. Immediate reactions are caused by an allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody that floats around in the blood stream. Another useful tool in diagnosing and managing food allergies is blood testing, called allergen-specific IgE testing. This test measures the level of antibody produced in the blood in response to a food allergen.

Function

Structure

Allergies

References

Further reading