IGY - CLUES TO THE ORIGINS OF MODERN ANTIBODIES

IgY is the functional equivalent of IgG in birds, reptiles and amphibi a, but many aspects of its biology are poorly understood. Recent studi es have increased awareness of the genetics and functions of this mole cule, and have revealed its position as the ancestor of the uniquely m ammalian antibodies IgG and IgE. Here, Greg Warr, Kathy Magor and Davi d Higgins review current knowledge of IgY structure, function and expr ession in the context of the evolutionary role of this primitive immun oglobulin.