classes of immunoglobulin
Last reviewed 01/2018
There are five main classes of immunoglobulin; IgA, IgE, IgG, IgM and IgD.
The basic component of each of these classes is a "Y" shaped monomer, formed of two heavy chains and two light chains. There are variable and constant regions of both heavy and light chains. Variable regions form the antigen - binding sites. The types of light chains in immunoglobulins are common to all classes (these are termed kappa and lambda). The heavy chains are class-specific.
The basic unit of immunoglobulins - the monomer - has a molecular weight of about 150 kilodaltons.
IgA (summary and causes of reduced and increased levels)
IgE (summary and causes of increased and reduced levels)
IgG (summary and causes of increased and reduced levels)