Chimeric immunoglobulin-T cell receptor proteins form functional receptors: implications for T cell receptor complex formation and activation.
We constructed chimeric receptor chains in which an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) from a phosphorylcholine-specific antibody is substituted for T cell receptor (Tcr) alpha and beta V regions. We demonstrate that the VH region joined to either the C alpha or the C beta region can form stable chimeric proteins in EL4 T cells. Both chimeric receptor chains associate with CD3 polypeptides in functional receptor complexes and respond to phosphorylcholine coupled to Sepharose beads. The VH-C alpha chimeric chain associates with the EL4 beta chain, while the VH-C beta chimeric protein appears to form either a homodimer or a heterodimer with the native EL4 beta chain. Thus, functional receptor complexes can be formed using two C beta regions, and the C alpha region may not be required for CD3 association and surface expression of Tcr complexes.
Goverman
J
J
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125.
Gomez
S M
SM
Segesman
K D
KD
Hunkapiller
T
T
Laug
W E
WE
Hood
L
L
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002460:Cell Line; D002678:Chimera; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis; D010957:Plasmids; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014162:Transfection
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D008222:Lymphokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell