Structure and function of the T cell receptor/T3 complex. 1985

C Terhorst

The T cell receptor/T3 complex is a protein ensemble inserted in the plasma membrane of human thymus derived lymphocytes. Whereas the alpha and beta chains are variable elements (i.e. between different T cell clones alpha and beta chains are related but distinct), the gamma, delta and epsilon chains are invariant between human T cell clones. Recently, genes coding for the alpha, beta and delta chains have been isolated. Functional studies in several laboratories, including our own, suggest a "division of labor" between the alpha/beta chain heterodimer (T cell receptor) and the three other polypeptide chains (T3 gamma, delta, epsilon): The cell receptor alpha and beta chains together recognize antigen and MHC product on the antigen presenting target cell and an activating signal is transduced to the cytoplasmatic side of the plasma membrane via the T3 complex. Thus, T cell responses are initiated immediately upon binding of ligand. In our model, Ca2+ influx plays a pivotal role in the signal transducing event. In fact, we postulate that the T3-epsilon chain itself might be a calcium gate.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007526 Isoelectric Point The pH in solutions of proteins and related compounds at which the dipolar ions are at a maximum. Isoelectric Points,Point, Isoelectric,Points, Isoelectric
D008970 Molecular Weight The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule. Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D011948 Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell Molecules on the surface of T-lymphocytes that recognize and combine with antigens. The receptors are non-covalently associated with a complex of several polypeptides collectively called CD3 antigens (CD3 COMPLEX). Recognition of foreign antigen and the major histocompatibility complex is accomplished by a single heterodimeric antigen-receptor structure, composed of either alpha-beta (RECEPTORS, ANTIGEN, T-CELL, ALPHA-BETA) or gamma-delta (RECEPTORS, ANTIGEN, T-CELL, GAMMA-DELTA) chains. Antigen Receptors, T-Cell,T-Cell Receptors,Receptors, T-Cell Antigen,T-Cell Antigen Receptor,T-Cell Receptor,Antigen Receptor, T-Cell,Antigen Receptors, T Cell,Receptor, T-Cell,Receptor, T-Cell Antigen,Receptors, T Cell Antigen,Receptors, T-Cell,T Cell Antigen Receptor,T Cell Receptor,T Cell Receptors,T-Cell Antigen Receptors
D005796 Genes A category of nucleic acid sequences that function as units of heredity and which code for the basic instructions for the development, reproduction, and maintenance of organisms. Cistron,Gene,Genetic Materials,Cistrons,Genetic Material,Material, Genetic,Materials, Genetic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000945 Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte Antigens expressed on the cell membrane of T-lymphocytes during differentiation, activation, and normal and neoplastic transformation. Their phenotypic characterization is important in differential diagnosis and studies of thymic ontogeny and T-cell function. Antigens, Differentiation, T-Cell,Differentiation Antigens, T-Cell,L3T4 Antigens,Leu Antigens, T-Lymphocyte,T-Cell Differentiation Antigens,T-Lymphocyte Differentiation Antigens,T6 Antigens,Antigens, Differentiation, T Lymphocyte,Differentiation Antigens, T Lymphocyte,Antigens, L3T4,Antigens, T-Cell Differentiation,Antigens, T-Lymphocyte Differentiation,Antigens, T-Lymphocyte Leu,Antigens, T6,Differentiation Antigens, T Cell,Differentiation Antigens, T-Lymphocyte,Leu Antigens, T Lymphocyte,T Cell Differentiation Antigens,T Lymphocyte Differentiation Antigens,T-Lymphocyte Leu Antigens
D000954 Antigens, Surface Antigens on surfaces of cells, including infectious or foreign cells or viruses. They are usually protein-containing groups on cell membranes or walls and may be isolated. Cell Surface Antigens,Surface Antigens,Surface Markers, Immunological,Cell Surface Antigen,Immunologic Surface Markers,Markers, Immunological Surface,Surface Antigen,Surface Markers, Immunologic,Antigen, Cell Surface,Antigen, Surface,Antigens, Cell Surface,Immunological Surface Markers,Markers, Immunologic Surface,Surface Antigen, Cell,Surface Antigens, Cell
D013601 T-Lymphocytes Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen. T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte
D046911 Macromolecular Substances Compounds and molecular complexes that consist of very large numbers of atoms and are generally over 500 kDa in size. In biological systems macromolecular substances usually can be visualized using ELECTRON MICROSCOPY and are distinguished from ORGANELLES by the lack of a membrane structure. Macromolecular Complexes,Macromolecular Compounds,Macromolecular Compounds and Complexes,Complexes, Macromolecular,Compounds, Macromolecular,Substances, Macromolecular
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