title: Organization of the T-cell receptor alpha-chain gene and rearrangement in human T-cell leukaemias.
abstract: The structure and rearrangement of the human T-cell receptor alpha-chain gene have been analysed. The constant region segment is comprised of four exons, with the 3' non-coding region present as a separate exon. Two J alpha segments have been identified by sequence analysis about 4 X 10(3) and 15 X 10(3) base-pairs upstream from the constant region segment. Analysis of alpha-chain rearrangements in a panel of T-cells reveals the presence of at least four more J alpha segments within 19 X 10(3) base-pairs of C alpha and suggests the existence of additional J alpha segments further upstream. This dispersed organization of the J alpha region contrasts with the clustered organization observed in other lymphoid rearranging genes. The use of J alpha probes in diagnostic purposes for T-cell leukaemia is not, therefore, convenient and will require a number of different probes to ensure complete analysis of the locus.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D007127:Immunoglobulin Constant Regions / Q000235:genetics; D007144:Immunoglobulin J-Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007127:Immunoglobulin Constant Regions; D007144:Immunoglobulin J-Chains; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes