Modulating secretion of antibodies

Cells have means to ensure that only properly folded and assembled molecules are transported to their final destination, a phenomenon referred to as "quality control" of protein synthesis. Thus, plasma cells secrete only the polymeric form of IgM, retaining and degrading intracellularly assembly intermediates. Due to the failure to polymerize secretory IgM, B lymphocytes do not secrete IgM, while they express the membrane form of IgM on their surface. The selective retention of IgM assembly intermediates is due to disulphide interchange reactions which involve the C terminal cysteine of secretory microseconds chains and unknown protein(s) of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Assembly inhibits these reactions, as does addition of reducing agents. In the latter condition, assembly intermediates, otherwise retained and degraded in the ER, are transported to the Golgi, glycosylated and secreted. The developmental control of immunoglobulin secretion is discussed in the more general context of "quality control" of newly synthesized protein within the exocytic compartment.