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An abzyme, short for antibody enzyme, is a term used in biotechnology to describe an artificially engineered antibody that possesses enzymatic activity. Traditional antibodies, produced by the immune system, are proteins that can recognize and bind to specific molecules, called antigens. Abzymes, however, are modified antibodies designed to exhibit catalytic functions similar to enzymes.
Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. Abzymes combine the specificity of antibodies with the catalytic capabilities of enzymes, making them valuable tools in biotechnology and various research applications.
Scientists have manipulated antibodies to introduce catalytic sites or mimic enzyme-like activities, allowing abzymes to participate in a range of chemical reactions. This hybrid approach harnesses the binding specificity of antibodies while enabling them to catalyze reactions, opening up possibilities for applications in areas such as drug development, diagnostics, and bioengineering.