title: Molecular analysis of the antigen receptor of virus-specific cytotoxic T cells and identification of a new V alpha family.
abstract: We have determined the primary structure of the alpha/beta-antigen receptor of a lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-specific cytotoxic T cell clone (P14). The beta chain of the T cell receptor is composed of V beta 8.1, D beta and J beta 2.4 gene segments while the alpha chain uses a member of the V alpha 2 family and J alpha TA31. Southern blot analysis of a panel of six other independent LCMV-specific cytotoxic T cell clones did not reveal any preferential usage of the V alpha 2 or V beta 8 gene families in the cytotoxic LCMV response. Additionally, we have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones derived from the non-functionally rearranged alpha allele of P14. This transcript is composed of a unique V alpha gene segment which belongs to a new V alpha gene family.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D004247:DNA