View source for Abzyme

'''Abzyme'''

'''Abzyme''' (/ˈæbzaɪm/), also known as '''catalytic antibody''', is a type of [[antibody]] that has the ability to catalyze a chemical reaction. The term "abzyme" is a portmanteau of "antibody" and "enzyme".

==Etymology==

The term "abzyme" was first coined in the late 1980s. It is derived from the words "antibody" and "enzyme", reflecting the molecule's dual function as an immune response protein and a catalyst for chemical reactions.

==Function==

Abzymes are produced by the [[immune system]] in response to certain antigens. They function similarly to traditional enzymes, lowering the activation energy of a chemical reaction and increasing the rate at which the reaction occurs. However, unlike traditional enzymes, abzymes are not naturally occurring and must be artificially induced.

==Related Terms==

* [[Antibody]]: A protein produced by the immune system that recognizes and binds to specific antigens.
* [[Enzyme]]: A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up a specific chemical reaction.
* [[Immune System]]: The body's defense system against harmful substances, including bacteria, viruses, and foreign bodies.
* [[Antigen]]: A substance that triggers an immune response, especially the production of antibodies.

==See Also==

* [[Monoclonal Antibody]]
* [[Polyclonal Antibody]]
* [[Autoantibody]]

[[Category:Medical Dictionary]]
[[Category:Immunology]]
[[Category:Biochemistry]]

{{dictionary-stub}}