J chain

J chain

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, initial hypotheses stated 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.

Current hypotheses indicate that J chain may be necessary to enable secretion of antibodies into mucosal tissues.


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