Immunoglobulin Light Chain, Kappa

Definition 1

Immunoglobulin Light Chain Kappa is one of two Ig light chain types. Each Ig molecule is typically composed of two heavy chains and two light chains. Ig kappa light chains contain a variable and a constant region. Kappa light chains are encoded by multiple V, J, and C gene segments, which are separated in the genomes of cells undifferentiated with regard to antibody gene expression. Diversity in the kappa light chain V region arises during differentiation of an activated (kappa-type) antibody-producing B-cell from variable recombination of kappa V genes with kappa J genes and somatic point mutation, which plays a major role in antibody diversity. (from OMIM and NCI) (NCI Thesaurus)

Definition 2

One of the light chains of the immunoglobulins with a molecular weight of approximately 22 kD. They constitute about 60% of all light chains and can be recognized serologically as well as by their specific amino acid sequence. (NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Immunoglobulin Light Chain

A protein complex that consists of two light chains (kappa and lambda). The light chain molecules are of the same structure and…

Immunoglobulin Lambda Locus

This region represents the germline organization of the lambda light chain locus. The locus includes V (variable), J (joining), and C (constant)…

Immunoglobulin Kappa Locus

This region represents the germline organization of the kappa light chain locus. The locus includes V (variable), J (joining), and C (constant)…

Immunoglobulin Joining Region

The portion of the light and heavy chains of immunoglobulin molecules where the variable and constant regions meet.

Immunoglobulin Hypervariable Region

Within the variable domain of an antibody molecule are three regions called hypervariable regions, areas of high sequence diversity. These regions…

Immunoglobulin Hinge Region

A region of relative flexibility between the variable and constant regions of an antibody molecule.