Immunoglobulin M (IgM): Structure and Properties

Properties

  • This type of immunoglobulin accounts or constitutes 5-10% of total serum immunoglobulin in adults.
  • The serum concentration is 5-2 mg per 100 ml.
  • The half-life of IgM is about 5 days.
  • It can be produced in a T-independent manner.
  • Monomeric IgM has molecular weight of 180,000 Da which is expressed as membrane bound antibody on B cells.
  • It is often called macroglobulin and the millionaire molecule due to its high molecular weight.
  • IgM is secreted by plasma cells as a pentamer in which five monomeric units are held together by disulfide bonds.

IMMUNOGLOBULINS - STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

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Structure

  • This bonds link their carboxyl-terminal heavy chains domains (Cµ4/Cµ4) and their Cµ3/Cµ3 domains.
  • Fc regions of all the five monomeric subunits are arranged at the centre of the pentamer and also 10 antigen binding sites on the periphery of the molecule.
  • An additional Fc-linked polypeptide called the J (joining) chain is also contained in each pentamer.
  • This chain is disulfide-bonded to the carboxyl-terminal cysteine residue of two of the 10µ chains.
  • For the polymerization of the monomers in order to form pentameric IgM, there is necessity of J chain, which is added just before the secretion of the pentamer.
  • In a primary response to an antigen, IgM becomes the first immunoglobulin class to be produced.
  • This is also the first immunoglobulin to be synthesized by neonate.
  • IgM has the higher valency than the other isotypes due to its pentameric structure with 10 antigen-binding sites.
  • 10 small hapten molecules can be bound by an IgM molecule but due to steric hindrance only five or fewer molecules of large antigens can be bound simultaneously.
  • Pentameric IgM is more efficient than other isotypes in binding antigens with many repeating epitopes like viral particles and RBCs due to its high valency.
  • For example: the RBCs get clumped together into large aggregates when incubated with specific antibody in a process called agglutination.
  • The same level of agglutination can be achieved by 100 to 1000 times more molecules of IgG than IgM.
  • Viral particles also show similar phenomenon where less IgM is required in comparision to IgG to neutralize viral activity.
  • Activation of complement is also effective or more efficient by IgM than IgG.
  • The single molecule of pentameric IgM fulfills the requirement of at least two Fc regions in close proximity for complement activation.
  • IgM has large size due to which it cannot diffuse well and for that reason it is present in less concentration in the intercellular tissue
  • IgM binds to the receptors on secretory cells due to the presence of J chain.
  • Due to this reason i.e. presence of J chain, it gets transported across the epithelial linings to enter the external secretions that bathe mucosal surfaces.
  • IgM plays an important accessory role as a secretory immunoglobulin though the major isotype IgA is found in these secretions.

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References: 

i) https://moleculardepot.com/2019/04/10/igm-antibodies-structure-and-properties/

ii) https://microbeonline.com/igm-antibody-structure-properties-functions-clinical-significance/

Immunoglobulin M (IgM): Structure and Properties