SECRETORY PIECE
\sˈɛkɹɪtəɹˌi pˈiːs], \sˈɛkɹɪtəɹˌi pˈiːs], \s_ˈɛ_k_ɹ_ɪ_t_ə_ɹ_ˌi p_ˈiː_s]\
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A glycoprotein found in a variety of external secretions (tears, bile, colostrum) usually complexed to secreted polymeric immunoglobulins (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A or, less frequently IMMUNOGLOBULIN M). It is derived, by proteolytic cleavage, from the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (RECEPTORS, POLYMERIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN) and probably functions to protect the immunoglobulins from proteolysis in the secretions. (From Rosen et al., The Dictionary of Immunology, 1989)
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