The T cell receptor.
The primary structure of T cell receptor proteins and genes is well understood. Immunologists are now trying to understand the properties of these interesting molecules. Evidence suggests that T cell alpha beta receptors recognize a complex of an antigen-derived peptide bound to one of the cell-surface products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. It is likely that alpha beta receptors and MHC proteins have coevolved to have some affinity for each other. During T cell development in the thymus, cells bearing self-reactive receptors are deleted by the mechanisms of tolerance, and cells are preferentially allowed to mature if they bear receptors that will be able to recognize antigen plus self-MHC after they have become full-fledged T cells. Some explanations for these phenomena have been tested, but no satisfactory theory can yet be proposed to account for them.
Marrack
P
P
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
Kappler
J
J
D000818:Animals; D005796:Genes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000502:physiology
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell