light chain

noun

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.
Also called L chain.

Origin of light chain

First recorded in 1960–65

Words nearby light chain

light breeze, light bridge, light bulb, light bulb moment, light cannon, light chain, light colonel, light cream, light cruiser, light curve, light dawned, the

Medical definitions for l chain

light chain

n.

The smaller of the two types of polypeptide chains in immunoglobulins, consisting of an antigen-binding portion with a variable amino acid sequence, and a constant region with an amino acid sequence that is relatively unchanging.

Scientific definitions for l chain

light chain

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. Compare heavy chain.