A bovine epithelial membrane protein that binds polymeric immunoglobulin and has a structure related to that of bovine secretory component

Abstract

A protein of Mr 94000 was isolated from detergent-solubilized bovine intestinal, liver and mammary-gland membranes. It binds immunoglobulin M and also undergoes proteolytic fragmentation in a similar manner to bovine secretory component (Mr 74000). The affinity-purified membrane protein is therefore most likely to be the bovine epithelial receptor for polymeric immunoglobulin. A structural model is proposed.