A disulphide-linked heterodimer, consisting of mb-1 (or CD79a) and B29 (or CD79b) polypeptides, is non-covalently associated with membrane-bound immunoglobulins on B cells. This complex of mb-1 and B29 polypeptides and immunoglobulin constitute the B cell Ag receptor. CD79a first appears at pre B cell stage, early in maturation, and persists until the plasma cell stage where it is found as an intracellular component. CD79a is found in the majority of acute leukemias of precursor B cell type, in B cell lines, B cell lymphomas, and in some myelomas. It is not present in myeloid or T cell lines.

Store the CD79a antibody at 2-8°C (with azide) or aliquot and store at -20°C or colder (without azide).