Assignment Problem:
During both B- and T-cell development there are processes to ensure allelic exclusion. Allelic exclusion is when only one allele is used to produce a functional protein product. Normally, without allelic exclusion, diploid organisms would produce a functional protein product off of both alleles of a gene. We'll revisit allelic exclusion, and how it is maintained in B- and T-cell development next week. For now just use the structure of the B- and T-cell receptors to answer the following:
If there was NO allelic exclusion, would both antigen binding sites of the 'Y'-shaped antibody molecule bind the same epitope? If there was NO allelic exclusion, would all of the antigen receptors on an individual B- and/or T-cell recognize the same epitope? (you can find an image of the TCR & BCR on the next slide if that helps you)