We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Mechanistic basis of pre-T cell receptor-mediated autonomous signaling critical for thymocyte development.
- Authors
Yamasaki, Sho; Ishikawa, Eri; Sakuma, Machie; Ogata, Koji; Sakata-Sogawa, Kumiko; Hiroshima, Michio; Wiest, David L; Tokunaga, Makio; Saito, Takashi
- Abstract
The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) is crucial for early T cell development and is proposed to function in a ligand-independent way. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the autonomous signals remains elusive. Here we show that the pre-TCR complex spontaneously formed oligomers. Specific charged residues in the extracellular domain of the pre-TCR alpha-chain mediated formation of the oligomers in vitro. Alteration of these residues eliminated the ability of the pre-TCR alpha-chain to support pre-TCR signaling in vivo. Dimerization but not raft localization of CD3epsilon was sufficient to simulate pre-TCR function and promote beta-selection. These results suggest that the pre-TCR complex can deliver its signal autonomously through oligomerization of the pre-TCR alpha-chain mediated by charged residues.
- Publication
Nature immunology, 2006, Vol 7, Issue 1, p67
- ISSN
1529-2908
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/ni1290