STRUCTURAL BASIS OF AUTOIMMUNITY AGAINST G-PROTEIN COUPLED MEMBRANE-RECEPTORS

The structural basis of the function of G protein coupled membrane rec eptors will be considered taking the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor as mo del. The immunogenicity and antigenicity of the same receptor will be studied to examine the immunological properties of the G protein coupl ed membrane receptors. From the two first parts will be derived the co nditions which could lead to the building-up of a functional autoimmun e response. Finally, the possible application of the structural knowle dge on antibody-receptor interactions will be discussed.