IgE mediates allergic hypersensitivity and it is found tightly associated with its cellular receptor FcɛRI. Now crystal structure and binding studies reveal that the Cɛ2 domain from IgE Fc, which does not contact the receptor, contributes nevertheless to the high affinity by rendering the Cɛ3 domain more ordered, and thus minimizing the entropy gain upon receptor dissociation.
- Mary D Holdom
- Anna M Davies
- Brian J Sutton
