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TCR chain gangs

TCR chain gangs <h2>TCR chain gangs</h2> T cell receptors are expressed either individually (red arrows) or as multivalent groups (black arrows). Only grouped TCRs respond to low-dose antigen. T cell receptors (TCRs) band together to detect minute amounts of antigen, according to Schamel and colleagues on page 493 . Their new work shows that TCRs are expressed on the surface of resting T cells either individually or in groups. The grouped TCRs, but not the solitary receptors, were triggered by low dose antigen, suggesting that these receptors must cooperate when antigen is scarce.Whether TCRs exist as solitary entities or whether they group together is a long-standing matter of debate. Previous studies have failed to uncover evidence of grouped (multivalent) TCRs, but this may have resulted from dismantling of the groups as a result of overly harsh purification techniques. In the new study, Schamel et al. gently coaxed the TCRs from the cell membrane using a mild detergent, allowing the receptors to retain both their native conformation and any associations with neighboring membrane proteins. They discovered that up to 50% of TCRs expressed by naive T cells associated with other TCRs and formed linear multivalent chains on the cell surface. Only the http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The Journal of Experimental Medicine Rockefeller University Press

TCR chain gangs

Van Epps, Heather L.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine , Volume 202 (4): 458 – Aug 15, 2005
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Publisher
Rockefeller University Press
Copyright
© 2005 Rockefeller University Press
ISSN
0022-1007
eISSN
1540-9538
DOI
10.1084/jem2024iti2
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

<h2>TCR chain gangs</h2> T cell receptors are expressed either individually (red arrows) or as multivalent groups (black arrows). Only grouped TCRs respond to low-dose antigen. T cell receptors (TCRs) band together to detect minute amounts of antigen, according to Schamel and colleagues on page 493 . Their new work shows that TCRs are expressed on the surface of resting T cells either individually or in groups. The grouped TCRs, but not the solitary receptors, were triggered by low dose antigen, suggesting that these receptors must cooperate when antigen is scarce.Whether TCRs exist as solitary entities or whether they group together is a long-standing matter of debate. Previous studies have failed to uncover evidence of grouped (multivalent) TCRs, but this may have resulted from dismantling of the groups as a result of overly harsh purification techniques. In the new study, Schamel et al. gently coaxed the TCRs from the cell membrane using a mild detergent, allowing the receptors to retain both their native conformation and any associations with neighboring membrane proteins. They discovered that up to 50% of TCRs expressed by naive T cells associated with other TCRs and formed linear multivalent chains on the cell surface. Only the

Journal

The Journal of Experimental Medicine – Rockefeller University Press

Published: Aug 15, 2005

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