Allelic variations of human TCR V gene products.
A central problem confronting the immune system is how to discriminate among vast numbers of antigens. Novel genetic ploys that aid the discriminative process, including complex gene rearrangements (in antibody and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes) and extensive allelic polymorphism (in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes), have been described. Recent evidence has suggested a further level of diversity; TCR V gene allelic variation. In this article David Posnett summarizes evidence in favour of this possibility and speculates on the possible functional consequences of TCR allelism.
Posnett
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Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021.
D000483:Alleles; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell