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Brief Definitive Report |
degermann{at}bii.ch
A striking feature of the T cell receptor (TCR) β chain structure is the large FG loop that protrudes freely into the solvent on the external face of the Cβ domain. We have already shown that a transgene-encoded Vβ8.2+ TCR β chain lacking the complete Cβ FG loop supports normal development and function of conventional
/β T cells. Thus, the FG loop is not absolutely necessary for TCR signaling. However, further analysis has revealed that a small population of /β T cells coexpressing NK1.1 are severely depleted in these transgenic mice. The few remaining NK1.1 T cells have a normal phenotype but express very low levels of TCR. We find that the TCR Vβ8.2+ chain lacking the Cβ FG loop cannot pair efficiently with the invariant V14-J281 TCR chain commonly expressed by this T cell family. Consequently, fewer NK1.1 T cells develop in these mice. Our results suggest that expression of the V14+ TCR chain is particularly sensitive to TCR-β conformation. Development of NK1.1 T cells appears to need a TCR-β conformation dependent on the presence of the Cβ loop that is not necessarily required for assembly and function of TCRs on most /β T cells.
Key Words: TCR • Cβ FG loop • mutagenesis • NK1.1 T cells • V14
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