To examine the role of light chains in early B cell development we combined RAG-1 and lambda 5 mutations to produce mice that expressed neither conventional nor surrogate light chains (RAG-1-/-, lambda 5-/-). Unique heavy and light chain genes were then introduced into the double and single mutant backgrounds. Membrane immunoglobulin (Ig)mu (mIg mu) associated with Ig alpha-Ig beta but was unable to activate the pre-B cell transition in RAG-1-/-lambda 5-/- mice. Either lambda 5 or kappa light chains were sufficient to complement this deficiency. Therefore light chains are absolutely required for a functional Ig signaling module in early B cell development. Our data provide direct evidence for the existence of two pathways for induction of early B cell development: one which is activated through surrogate light chains and mIg mu, and an alternative pathway which uses conventional light chains and mIg mu.
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November 01 1996
Surrogate or conventional light chains are required for membrane immunoglobulin mu to activate the precursor B cell transition.
F Papavasiliou,
F Papavasiliou
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
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M Jankovic,
M Jankovic
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
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M C Nussenzweig
M C Nussenzweig
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
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F Papavasiliou
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
M Jankovic
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
M C Nussenzweig
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1996) 184 (5): 2025–2030.
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F Papavasiliou, M Jankovic, M C Nussenzweig; Surrogate or conventional light chains are required for membrane immunoglobulin mu to activate the precursor B cell transition.. J Exp Med 1 November 1996; 184 (5): 2025–2030. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.184.5.2025
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