Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been made specific for the pre-B cell-specific proteins VpreB and lambda 5 which together form the surrogate light (L) chain. mAbs specific for VpreB protein identified the 16-kD molecule associated on precursor B cell lines with lambda 5 protein as the product of the VpreB gene. Surrogate L chain was detectable even in the absence of mu heavy (H) chain on the surface of early precursor cell lines such as pro-B cell lines where all immunoglobulin (Ig) loci are in the germline configuration, as well as early pre-B cell lines where Ig H chain loci are DHJH rearranged in reading frame I or III, which does not allow the expression of a DHJHC mu protein. A complex of glycoproteins (200, 130, 105, and 65-35 kD) was identified as coprecipitated with the Vpreb/lamba 5 surrogate L chain in mu H chain-negative precursor B cell lines. The 130-kD protein was most strongly labeled with iodine and most consistently detected in noncovalent association with surrogate L chain. This protein turned out to be a N-linked glycoprotein with a 100-kD protein core and isoelectric point 5.8, indicating that it is distinct from CD43 and the BP-1/6C3 antigen. The surface deposition of the surrogate L chain in association with the newly identified glycoproteins suggests that the surrogate L chain may function as a receptor even before the association with mu H chain in early precursor B cells.
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August 01 1993
A complex of glycoproteins is associated with VpreB/lambda 5 surrogate light chain on the surface of mu heavy chain-negative early precursor B cell lines.
H Karasuyama,
H Karasuyama
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
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A Rolink,
A Rolink
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
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F Melchers
F Melchers
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
Search for other works by this author on:
H Karasuyama
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
A Rolink
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
F Melchers
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1993) 178 (2): 469–478.
Citation
H Karasuyama, A Rolink, F Melchers; A complex of glycoproteins is associated with VpreB/lambda 5 surrogate light chain on the surface of mu heavy chain-negative early precursor B cell lines.. J Exp Med 1 August 1993; 178 (2): 469–478. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.178.2.469
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