Abstract
The term idiotype (Id) or idiotypic determinant was originally proposed by Oudin and Michel (1963) to designate antigenic determinants unique to a small set of antibody molecules. An Id defines the variable (V) region of the antibody molecule and often serves as a V region phenotypic marker. Because the V region of the antibody molecule also contains the antigen-binding region, the area of the antibody that makes contact with the antigen has been referred to as the paratope. It becomes important to remember that even within a single antibody molecule, different areas within the V region are capable of combining with different antigens. Thus, antigen binding to antibody requires sufficient complementarity between the antigen and antibody molecule to generate the attractive forces necessary for this reaction to occur. This complementarity or fitting of structural conformations plays a dual role in both antigen binding to an antibody molecule and antigen mimicry by potential anti-antibodies that recognize the conformation induced by the V region of an antibody molecule.
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