Preferential expression of a defined T-cell receptor beta-chain gene in hapten-specific cytotoxic T-cell clones.
A multitude of different antigens can be recognized by T cells through specific receptors. Both the alpha- and beta-chains of the T-cell receptor contribute to the antigen recognition portion. The repertoire of beta-chain variable region (V beta) gene segments is limited to some 20 elements which seem to be used randomly in different T cells. Diversity at the beta-chain level can be created in several ways: a multiplicity of germline gene segments; combinatorial diversity by rearranging different V, diversity (D), joining (J) and constant (C) region elements; junctional diversity by joining gene segments at different sites; N-region diversity, that is, insertion of random nucleotides at junctional sites; and somatic mutation. However, the major sources and the extent of diversity of the T-cell receptor are unclear. To address this issue, 42 H-2Kb-restricted, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific cytotoxic T-cell (Tc) clones from C57BL/6 mice were characterized with respect to expression of different beta-chain gene segments in messenger RNA using specific oligonucleotide probes. We report here that nearly half of the Tc clones use identical elements for productive beta-chain gene rearrangement. Thus, there is a restriction in the use of beta-chain gene segments in this panel of Tc clones which favours a particular V beta--D beta--J beta--C beta combination with a defined D beta element.
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology
D006183:H-2 Antigens; C032876:H-2Kb protein, mouse; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes; D004247:DNA