epitope
noun
epi·tope ˈe-pə-ˌtōp 
: a molecular region on the surface of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with the specific antibody produced by such a response
called also determinant, antigenic determinant
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The most prevalent mutation in this T cell epitope is an amino acid substitution of proline for leucine, denoted as YLQLRTFLL or P272L mutation. 
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 One potential benefit might be longer-lasting protection, Greenberger speculated, since the coronavirus is unlikely to mutate every protein epitope included in this vaccine. Angus Chen, STAT, 14 Apr. 2022 This mAb, derived from B cells of a patient who recovered from SARS-1 in 2003, targets an epitope on the S protein that is conserved in the sarbecovirus family. Laura Defrancesco, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2022 The portion of the pathogen's protein that the antibody recognizes is called an epitope. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022 Sequence conservation at the BG10-19 epitope explains the cross-neutralization against SARS-1, as 23 of 29 residues are conserved between SARS-1 and SARS-CoV-2 RBDs. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 May 2021 On the top of the protein, a spot called an epitope serves as a landing pad for antibodies, allowing the virus to be neutralized. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2020 Unlike monoclonal antibodies, which are being developed to target a specific molecular region, or epitope, on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 to elicit an immune response, horse polyclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 recognize multiple epitopes. Debbie Ponchner, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2020 The observation of this study raised the alarm that Sars-CoV-2 mutation that varied epitope (something that an antibody attaches itself to) profile could arise at any time. Barnini Chakraborty, Fox News, 15 Apr. 2020 See More
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 One potential benefit might be longer-lasting protection, Greenberger speculated, since the coronavirus is unlikely to mutate every protein epitope included in this vaccine. Angus Chen, STAT, 14 Apr. 2022 This mAb, derived from B cells of a patient who recovered from SARS-1 in 2003, targets an epitope on the S protein that is conserved in the sarbecovirus family. Laura Defrancesco, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2022 The portion of the pathogen's protein that the antibody recognizes is called an epitope. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022 Sequence conservation at the BG10-19 epitope explains the cross-neutralization against SARS-1, as 23 of 29 residues are conserved between SARS-1 and SARS-CoV-2 RBDs. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 May 2021 On the top of the protein, a spot called an epitope serves as a landing pad for antibodies, allowing the virus to be neutralized. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2020 Unlike monoclonal antibodies, which are being developed to target a specific molecular region, or epitope, on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 to elicit an immune response, horse polyclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 recognize multiple epitopes. Debbie Ponchner, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2020 The observation of this study raised the alarm that Sars-CoV-2 mutation that varied epitope (something that an antibody attaches itself to) profile could arise at any time. Barnini Chakraborty, Fox News, 15 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
epi- + Greek tópos "place"
Note: Term introduced by the Danish immunologist Niels Kaj Jerne (1911-94) in "Immunological speculations," Annual Review of Microbiology, vol. 14 (1960), pp. 341-58.
First Known Use
1960, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
epitope
noun
epi·tope ˈep-ə-ˌtōp
: a molecular region on the surface of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with the specific antibody produced by such a response
called also determinant, antigenic determinant