Description
Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR) is also known as Poly-Ig receptor, which can be cleaved into membrane secretory component (SC). PIGR is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein or a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and is synthesized by secretory epithelial cells and delivered to the basolateral plasma membrane where it can bind larger polymers of IgA (pIgA) and pentameric IgM. The complex is then transported across the cell to be secreted at the apical surface. During this process a cleavage occurs that separates the extracellular (known as the secretory component) from the transmembrane segment