Background:
Constant region of immunoglobulin heavy chains. Immunoglobulins also known as antibodies are membrane-bound or secreted glycoproteins produced by B lymphocytes. In the recognition phase of humoral immunity the membrane-bound immunoglobulins serve as receptors which upon binding of a specific antigen trigger the clonal expansion and differentiation of B lymphocytes into immunoglobulins-secreting plasma cells. Secreted immunoglobulins mediate the effector phase of humoral immunity which results in the elimination of bound antigens (PubMed:22158414 PubMed:20176268).