J chain: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-{{SIB}} + & -{{EH}} + & -{{EJ}} + & -{{Editor Help}} + & -{{Editor Join}} +)) |
(No difference)
|
Revision as of 16:36, 9 August 2012
J chain is a protein component of the antibodies IgM and IgA.
Because IgM and IgA are the only two types of antibody that polymerize, it was initially thought that J chain was required for polymerization. However, it was subsequently found that IgM is able to polymerize in the absence of J chain as both a pentamer and a hexamer.
It is now believed that J chain is necessary to enable secretion of antibodies into mucosal tissues.
This immunology article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |