Unusual features of the T-cell receptor C domains are revealed by structural comparisons with other members of the immunoglobulin superfamily.
The amino acid sequences of the domains of human, mouse and rabbit T-cell antigen receptors have been aligned with those of immunoglobulin domains of known three-dimensional structure. Computerized secondary structure predictions have been performed on the sequences and putative models of the domains have been constructed. The receptor V alpha and V beta domains are closely related to immunoglobulin VH domains. The receptor C alpha domain shows some major divergences from immunoglobulin C domains and the C beta domain displays an unusual feature. The implications for T-cell receptor function are discussed.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011817:Rabbits; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D012984:Software; D013045:Species Specificity
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell