The simplest form of an antigenic determinant, on a complex antigenic molecule, which can combine with antibody or T cell receptor. [epi- + -tope]
- shared e. SYN: susceptibility cassette.
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epi·tope 'ep-ə-.tōp n 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
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ep·i·tope (epґĭ-tōp) antigenic determinant.Medical dictionary. 2011.