Mouse Antibody of IgM Class is Prone to Non-Enzymatic Cleavage between CH1 and CH2 Domains.

ABSTRACT: IgM is a multivalent antibody which evolved as a first line defense of adaptive immunity. It consists of heavy and light chains assembled into a complex oligomer. In mouse serum there are two forms of IgM, a full-length and a truncated one. The latter contains μ' chain, which lacks a variable region. Although μ' chain was discovered many years ago, its origin has not yet been elucidated. Our results indicate that μ' chain is generated from a full-length heavy chain by non-enzymatic cleavage of the protein backbone. The cleavage occurred specifically after Asn209 and is prevented by mutating this residue into any other amino acid. The process requires the presence of other proteins, preferentially with an acidic isoelectric point, and is facilitated by neutral or alkaline pH. This unique ch

SUBMITTER: Klaus T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5764968 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature