IgM -->
immunoglobulin M		 medical dictionary

<immunology> An immunoglobulin M molecule (970 kD) is built up from five immunoglobulin G type monomers joined together, with the assistance of J chains, to form a cyclic pentamer.

Immunoglobulin M binds complement and a single molecule bound to a cell surface can lyse that cell. Immunoglobulin M is usually produced first in an immune response before immunoglobulin G.

The human red cell isoantibodies are immunoglobulin M antibodies. Heavy chain (mu chain) is rather larger than the heavy chains of other immunoglobulins.

Abbreviation: IgM

(30 Mar )

immunoglobulin inv allotypes, immunoglobulin isotypes, immunoglobulin joining region < Prev | Next > immunoglobulins, immunoglobulins, alpha-chain

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