title: B cell antigen receptors.
abstract: Antigen receptors have a dual role on the surface of B lymphocytes, namely the binding and internalization of antigens and the activation of the antigen-recognizing B cell. The structural requirements for internalization are still a matter of controversy; but as far as signalling is concerned it is becoming increasingly apparent that the antigen receptor is functionally divided into the ligand-binding immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule and the signal-transducing Ig-alpha/Ig-beta heterodimer. This knowledge has been exploited to design variant antigen receptors which combine both functions in a single molecule.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck Institut für Immunbiologie, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reth
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell