Two new proteins preferentially associated with membrane immunoglobulin D.

The IgM and IgD classes of antigen receptor can perform different functions on B cells. However, so far no class-specific components communicating with the cytoplasm have been found in the two antigen receptors. We have employed a new biotinylation protocol to search for intracellular membrane Ig-associated proteins. Here we describe two proteins of 29 and 31 kDa that are associated with membrane IgD and to some extent with membrane IgM. The membrane IgM molecule is associated specifically with three proteins of 32, 37 and 41 kDa. The purification and sequencing of the two mIgD-associated proteins revealed that they are novel proteins which are related to each other. These proteins may be the missing link between the antigen receptor and the cytoskeleton and may contribute to functional differences between membrane IgM and membrane IgD.