light chain

American  

noun

1. Immunology. either of an identical pair of polypeptides in the antibody molecule that lie parallel to the upper parts of the heavy chain pair and are half the molecular weight.

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light chain Scientific  

1. The smaller of the two types of polypeptide chains in an antibody molecule. A light chain consists of an antigen-binding portion with a variable amino acid sequence, and a constant region with an amino acid sequence that is relatively unchanging. The light chains are attached to the heavy chains so that the variable regions of both lie alongside each other.

2. Compare heavy chain

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Etymology

Origin of light chain

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light chain

In their investigation, the researchers used a modified version of the antibody light chain.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2023

The size exclusion chromatography of the antibody light chain #4C214A revealed that the antibody exists as individual monomers and four-subunit tetramers.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2023

What enzyme is responsible for the random excision of variable gene segments making up an antibody light chain in DNA?

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The heavy chain and the light chain are the two polypeptides that form the antibody.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

I yank on the light chain in my closet.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio