Analysis of T-cell receptor gamma chain expression in the thymus.
While much is known about the structure and function of the T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta heterodimer, information has just begun to emerge about the gamma protein, the product of a third rearranging T-cell receptor gene. We describe the use of antiserum to a carboxy-terminal peptide common to several of the murine gamma chain constant regions and a monoclonal antibody to the murine T3 complex to identify products of this T-cell receptor gene family in a subpopulation of Lyt2-, L3T4- thymocytes. The gamma chain has a molecular weight of 35kD, is disulfide bonded to a 45kD partner termed delta (delta) and is associated with the T3 complex. The cells that bear this second T-cell receptor appear to represent a distinct lineage differentiating within the thymus.
Pardoll
D M
DM
Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Lew
A M
AM
Maloy
W L
WL
Fowlkes
B J
BJ
Kruisbeek
A
A
Bluestone
J A
JA
Schwartz
R H
RH
Coligan
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D006031:Glycosylation; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell