light chain

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.

light chain

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of light chain¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

This protein is called neurofilament light chain, NfL.

From Science Daily

Hirota concludes: "These findings not only clarify the domain-swapped structure of the antibody light chain but also contribute to controlling antibody quality and advancing the development of future molecular recognition agents and drugs."

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

"Our study provides the first report on the atomic-level structure of the 3D-DS phenomenon in an antibody light chain's variable region," points out Hirota.

From Science Daily

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