Assembly of the κ PreB Receptor Requires a Vκ-like Protein Encoded by a Germline Transcript

By confining germline transcription as a byproduct of the mechanisms inherent to genetic rearrangements, the translation of respective mRNAs and their biological relevance might have been overlooked. Here we report the identification, cloning, and biochemical characterization of a human Vκ-like protein that is encoded by a germline transcript. This surrogate protein assembles with the immunoglobulin μ heavy chain at the surface of B cell progenitors and precursors to form a κ-like antigen receptor. These findings support the notion that germline transcription is not futile and stress the flexibility in eukaryotic gene usage and expression. In addition, the present study confirms the co-existence of surrogate λ and κ receptors that are proposed to work in concert to promote B lymphocyte maturation.