CD79a (mb-1) is an integral membrane protein expressed early in B cell maturation and next to CD75b (B29) one of two polypeptide chains of the CD79 molecule. The dimer of CD79a/b has the function to transmit signals to the B cell receptor signaling complex into the cell for induction of B cell activation. The CD79a antibody is used as a marker for identification of normal and neoplastic B lymphocytes.

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[2] Luger D, Yang Y, Raviv A et al. (2013) Expression of the B-Cell Receptor Component CD79a on Immature Myeloid Cells Contributes to Their Tumor Promoting Effects. PLoS One 16;8(10):e76115.