IgM immunoglobulin complex, circulating
A polymer of five or six IgM core units each composed of two identical immunoglobulin heavy chains of the IgM isotype and two identical immunoglobulin light chains, held together by disulfide bonds; the individual IgM core units are held together via disulfide bonds with a single J chain polypeptide acting as a bridge between two of the polymeric units. Circulating IgM is present in the extracellular space, in mucosal areas or other tissues, or in the blood or lymph. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20176268 https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0781765196 ]
Term info
IgM immunoglobulin complex, circulating
- IgM antibody
Note that an IgM immunoglobulin complex has the function of antigen binding if a suitable antigen is available.
midori
2010-03-24T01:44:53Z
cellular_component
GO:0071754