light chains


light chains

The small polypeptide chains of antibodies. See also: chain

light chains

The short polypeptide chains that form the outer parts of the upper arms of the Y-shaped ANTIBODY molecule. The light chains of all antibodies have one length (domain) that is the same for all (the constant domain) and one terminal domain that varies in its amino acid sequence (the variable domain). A domain is a single loop of about 110 amino acids. See also HEAVY CHAINS.