Question

Papain digestion of an IgG predominantly results in the formation of

• A. two Fab fragments and one Fc fragment
• B. one $F(ab^{\prime})2$ fragment and several small Fc fragments
• C. one $F(ab^{\prime})2$ fragment and one Fc fragment
• D. two Fab fragments and several small Fc fragments

Hint:

Papain (with an 'a') gives F-a-b. Pepsin (with an 'e') gives F(ab')2.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Concept
Proteolytic enzymes like papain and pepsin can cleave immunoglobulin G (IgG) into specific functional fragments.

Step 2: Mechanism of Papain
Papain cleaves the IgG molecule above the hinge region (interchain disulfide bonds).

Step 3: Analysis
This cleavage produces three independent fragments: two identical Fab (Fragment antigen-binding) segments and one Fc (Fragment crystallizable) segment.

Step 4: Conclusion
Papain digestion results in two Fab and one Fc fragments. Final Answer: (A)