Chimeric immunoglobulin-T cell receptor proteins form functional receptors: implications for T cell receptor complex formation and activation |
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Authors: | J Goverman S M Gomez K D Segesman T Hunkapiller W E Laug L Hood |
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Institution: | Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125. |
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Abstract: | We constructed chimeric receptor chains in which an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) from a phosphorylcholine-specific antibody is substituted for T cell receptor (Tcr) alpha and beta V regions. We demonstrate that the VH region joined to either the C alpha or the C beta region can form stable chimeric proteins in EL4 T cells. Both chimeric receptor chains associate with CD3 polypeptides in functional receptor complexes and respond to phosphorylcholine coupled to Sepharose beads. The VH-C alpha chimeric chain associates with the EL4 beta chain, while the VH-C beta chimeric protein appears to form either a homodimer or a heterodimer with the native EL4 beta chain. Thus, functional receptor complexes can be formed using two C beta regions, and the C alpha region may not be required for CD3 association and surface expression of Tcr complexes. |
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