T-cell receptor

TCR complex
The T-cell receptor complex with TCR-α and TCR-β chains (top), two ζ-chain (CD247) accessory molecules (bottom) and CD3 (represented by CD3γ, CD3δ and two CD3ε).
Identifiers
SymbolTCR
OPM superfamily166
Membranome26
Antigen presentation stimulates T cells to become either "cytotoxic" CD8+ cells or "helper" CD4+ cells.
T-cell receptor alpha locus
Identifiers
SymbolTRA
Alt. symbolsTCRA, TRA@
NCBI gene6955
HGNC12027
OMIM186880
Other data
LocusChr. 14 q11.2
T-cell receptor beta locus
Identifiers
SymbolTRB
Alt. symbolsTCRB, TRB@
NCBI gene6957
HGNC12155
OMIM186930
Other data
LocusChr. 7 q34
T-cell receptor delta locus
Identifiers
SymbolTRD
Alt. symbolsTCRD, TRD@, TCRDV1
NCBI gene6964
HGNC12252
Other data
LocusChr. 14 q11.2
T-cell receptor gamma locus
Identifiers
SymbolTRG
Alt. symbolsTCRG, TRG@
NCBI gene6965
HGNC12271
Other data
LocusChr. 7 p14

The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a protein complex found on the surface of T cells, or T lymphocytes,[1] that is responsible for recognizing fragments of antigen as peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The binding between TCR and antigen peptides is of relatively low affinity and is degenerate: that is, many TCRs recognize the same antigen peptide and many antigen peptides are recognized by the same TCR.[2]

The TCR is composed of two different protein chains (that is, it is a heterodimer). In humans, in 95% of T cells the TCR consists of an alpha (α) chain and a beta (β) chain (encoded by TRA and TRB, respectively), whereas in 5% of T cells the TCR consists of gamma and delta (γ/δ) chains (encoded by TRG and TRD, respectively). This ratio changes during ontogeny and in diseased states (such as leukemia). It also differs between species. Orthologues of the 4 loci have been mapped in various species.[3][4] Each locus can produce a variety of polypeptides with constant and variable regions.[3]

When the TCR engages with antigenic peptide and MHC (peptide/MHC), the T lymphocyte is activated through signal transduction, that is, a series of biochemical events mediated by associated enzymes, co-receptors, specialized adaptor molecules, and activated or released transcription factors. Based on the initial receptor triggering mechanism, the TCR belongs to the family of non-catalytic tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors (NTRs).[5]

  1. ^ Kindt TJ, Goldsby RA, Osborne BA, Kuby J (2007). Kuby immunology. Macmillan. pp. 223–. ISBN 978-1-4292-0211-4. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  2. ^ Sewell AK (September 2012). "Why must T cells be cross-reactive?". Nature Reviews. Immunology. 12 (9): 669–77. doi:10.1038/nri3279. PMC 7097784. PMID 22918468.
  3. ^ a b Glusman G, Rowen L, Lee I, Boysen C, Roach JC, Smit AF, et al. (September 2001). "Comparative genomics of the human and mouse T cell receptor loci". Immunity. 15 (3): 337–49. doi:10.1016/s1074-7613(01)00200-x. PMID 11567625.
  4. ^ Deakin JE, Parra ZE, Graves JA, Miller RD (2006). "Physical mapping of T cell receptor loci (TRA@, TRB@, TRD@ and TRG@) in the opossum (Monodelphis domestica)". Cytogenetic and Genome Research. 112 (3–4): 342K. doi:10.1159/000089901. PMID 16484802.
  5. ^ Dushek O, Goyette J, van der Merwe PA (November 2012). "Non-catalytic tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors". Immunological Reviews. 250 (1): 258–76. doi:10.1111/imr.12008. PMID 23046135. S2CID 1549902.

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