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Review
. 1991 Sep;3(5):269-81.

Structure and specificity of the T cell antigen receptor

Affiliations
  • PMID: 1724735
Review

Structure and specificity of the T cell antigen receptor

J Kaye et al. Semin Immunol. 1991 Sep.

Abstract

The antigen receptor on T lymphocytes is a multi-chain complex of which two chains determine its specificity for antigen. Although these receptor chains possess genetic and structural similarities with membrane-bound immunoglobulin, the B cell antigen receptor, they endow T cells with a distinct specificity. Unlike B cells, T cells recognize foreign antigenic properties only in the form of proteolytic fragments bound to molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex. In addition, one stage of the development of T cells in the thymus is dependent upon an antigen receptor-mediated event. Utilizing the response to a well defined antigen as a model system, we discuss the relationship between receptor structure and the specificity of these recognition events.

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