Structural highlights
Function
IGG1_HUMAN Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are membrane-bound or secreted glycoproteins produced by B lymphocytes. In the recognition phase of humoral immunity, the membrane-bound immunoglobulins serve as receptors which, upon binding of a specific antigen, trigger the clonal expansion and differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulins-secreting plasma cells. Secreted immunoglobulins mediate the effector phase of humoral immunity, which results in the elimination of bound antigens (PubMed:22158414, PubMed:20176268). The antigen binding site is formed by the variable domain of one heavy chain, together with that of its associated light chain. Thus, each immunoglobulin has two antigen binding sites with remarkable affinity for a particular antigen. The variable domains are assembled by a process called V-(D)-J rearrangement and can then be subjected to somatic hypermutations which, after exposure to antigen and selection, allow affinity maturation for a particular antigen (PubMed:20176268, PubMed:17576170).[1] [2] [3]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Polymeric immunoglobulins are essential components of the immune system in jawed vertebrates. While mammalian immunoglobulin M (IgM) typically forms a pentamer linked by the joining chain (J-chain), Xenopus laevis IgX can assemble into a J-chain-independent polymer. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of IgX, revealing its hexameric configuration. By incorporating the IgX tailpiece into human IgM, we achieved efficient IgM hexamer formation. Truncating IgM's natural tailpiece to a range of 11 to 16 residues also substantially enhanced hexamerization efficiency. Furthermore, introducing a shortened IgM tailpiece to IgG resulted in effective IgG hexamer formation. We further show that the engineered IgM and IgG hexamers targeting CD20 demonstrated robust complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against several B lymphoma cells. In addition, the IgG-Fc hexamer functioned as a decoy, attenuating CDC in cell cultures. These findings deepen our understanding of polymeric immunoglobulin evolution and introduce innovative strategies for the development of IgM- and IgG-based biologics.
Xenopus IgX informs engineering strategies of IgM and IgG hexamers.,Zhang R, Ji C, Li S, Li N, Gao N, Xiao J Sci Adv. 2025 Nov 7;11(45):eaea3737. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aea3737. Epub 2025 Nov , 5. PMID:41191733[4]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Teng G, Papavasiliou FN. Immunoglobulin somatic hypermutation. Annu Rev Genet. 2007;41:107-20. PMID:17576170 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.genet.41.110306.130340
- ↑ Schroeder HW Jr, Cavacini L. Structure and function of immunoglobulins. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Feb;125(2 Suppl 2):S41-52. doi:, 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.09.046. PMID:20176268 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2009.09.046
- ↑ McHeyzer-Williams M, Okitsu S, Wang N, McHeyzer-Williams L. Molecular programming of B cell memory. Nat Rev Immunol. 2011 Dec 9;12(1):24-34. doi: 10.1038/nri3128. PMID:22158414 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nri3128
- ↑ Zhang R, Ji C, Li S, Li N, Gao N, Xiao J. Xenopus IgX informs engineering strategies of IgM and IgG hexamers. Sci Adv. 2025 Nov 7;11(45):eaea3737. PMID:41191733 doi:10.1126/sciadv.aea3737
