Immunoglobulin kappa locus, also known as IGK@, is a region on the p arm of human chromosome 2, region 11.2 (2p11.2), that contains genes for the kappa (κ) light chains of antibodies (or immunoglobulins).[2]
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In humans the κ chain is coded for by V (variable), J (joining) and C (constant) genes in this region.[3] These genes undergo V(D)J recombination to generate a diverse repertoire of immunoglobulins.
The immunoglobulin kappa locus contains the following genes:
- IGKC: immunoglobulin kappa constant
- IGKJ@: immunoglobulin kappa joining group
- IGKJ1, IGKJ2, IGKJ3, IGKJ4, IGKJ5
- IGKV@: immunoglobulin kappa variable group
- IGKV1-5, IGKV1-6, IGKV1-8, IGKV1-9, IGKV1-12, IGKV1-16, IGKV1-17, IGKV1-27, IGKV1-33
- IGKV1D-8, IGKV1D-12, IGKV1D-13, IGKV1D-16, IGKV1D-17, IGKV1D-22, IGKV1D-27, IGKV1D-32, IGKV1D-33, IGKV1D-39, IGKV1D-43
- IGKV2-24, IGKV2-28, IGKV2-30, IGKV2-40
- IGKV2D-26, IGKV2D-28, IGKV2D-29, IGKV2D-30, IGKV2D-40
- IGKV3-11, IGKV3-15, IGKV3-20
- IGKV3D-7, IGKV3D-11, IGKV3D-20
- IGKV4-1
- IGKV5-2
- and a number of non-functional and pseudogenes
Male, D., Brostoff, J., Roth, D.B., & Roitt, I. 2006. Immunology. 7th ed., Canada: Elsevier Limited