Length distribution of CDRH3 in antibodies

Abstract

Sequences of the third complementarity determining region of antibody heavy chains (CDRH3s) are listed according to their length. Human sequences vary from 2 to 26 amino acids residues, but less extensively in other species. When combined with the other five complementarity determining regions, this enormous length variation of CDRH3, together with amino acid substitutions in their sequences, can provide a very large number of antibody specificities and can influence the shape of antibody combining sites.