Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, also known as PIGR, is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and a Fc receptor. The ectodomain of this receptor consists of five units with homology to the variable units of immunoglobulins and a transmembrane region, which also has some homology to certain immunoglobulin variable regions. PIGR is expressed on several glandular epithelia including those of liver and breast. The deduced amino-acid sequence has a length of 764 residues and shows an overall similarity of 56% and 64% with the rabbit and rat counterpart. PIGR mediates transcellular transport of polymeric immunoglobulin molecules, and thus facilitates the secretion of IgA and IgM. During this process, a cleavage occurs that separates the extracellular (known as the secretory component) from the transmembrane segment of PIGR.
