title: Expression of a hybrid immunoglobulin-T cell receptor protein in transgenic mice.
abstract: We have constructed a hybrid immunoglobulin (VDJH)-T cell receptor (C alpha) gene using the VDJH exon from a digoxin-specific antibody. This gene was used to make a line of transgenic mice. The hybrid VDJH-C alpha protein is expressed on a subset of T cells in these mice, and we have shown that it forms part of a functional TCR complex by the criteria of coprecipitation and comodulation of CD3 and TCR beta chain components and T cell activation with anti-idiotypic antibodies or digoxin. Furthermore, in cells expressing the hybrid protein, there is allelic exclusion of endogenous TCR alpha genes. We discuss the implications for the comparative structure of T cell receptors and immunoglobulins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Near
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mudgett-Hunter
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Margolies
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hedrick
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D004077:Digoxin / Q000276:immunology; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000235:genetics*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004077:Digoxin