The molecular assembly of the marsupial {gamma}{mu} T cell receptor defines a third T cell lineage

We describe a population of μTCRs found exclusively in non-eutherian mammals that consist of a two-domain (V-C) -chain paired to a three-domain (Vμ-Vμj-Cμ) μ-chain. μTCRs were characterized by restricted diversity in the V and Vμj domains and a highly diverse unpaired Vμ domain. Crystal structures of two distinct μTCRs revealed the structural basis of the association of the μTCR heterodimer. The Vμ domain shared the characteristics of a single-domain antibody within which the hypervariable CDR3μ loop suggests a major antigen recognition determinant. We define here the molecular basis underpinning the assembly of a third TCR lineage, the μTCR.

Source: ScienceNOW - March 25, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Morrissey, K. A., Wegrecki, M., Praveena, T., Hansen, V. L., Bu, L., Sivaraman, K. K., Darko, S., Douek, D. C., Rossjohn, J., Miller, R. D., Le Nours, J. Tags: Biochemistry, Immunology reports Source Type: news