Skip to Content
Merck
  • T cell receptor engagement triggers its CD3epsilon and CD3zeta subunits to adopt a compact, locked conformation.

T cell receptor engagement triggers its CD3epsilon and CD3zeta subunits to adopt a compact, locked conformation.

PloS one (2008-03-06)
Ruth M Risueño, Wolfgang W A Schamel, Balbino Alarcón
ABSTRACT

How the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) discriminates between molecularly related peptide/Major Histocompatibility Complex (pMHC) ligands and converts this information into different possible signaling outcomes is still not understood. One current model proposes that strong pMHC ligands, but not weak ones, induce a conformational change in the TCR. Evidence supporting this comes from a pull-down assay that detects ligand-induced binding of the TCR to the N-terminal SH3 domain of the adapter protein Nck, and also from studies with a neoepitope-specific antibody. Both methods rely on the exposure of a polyproline sequence in the CD3epsilon subunit of the TCR, and neither indicates whether the conformational change is transmitted to other CD3 subunits. Using a protease-sensitivity assay, we now show that the cytoplasmic tails of CD3epsilon and CD3zeta subunits become fully protected from degradation upon TCR triggering. These results suggest that the TCR conformational change is transmitted to the tails of CD3epsilon and CD3zeta, and perhaps all CD3 subunits. Furthermore, the resistance to protease digestion suggests that CD3 cytoplasmic tails adopt a compact structure in the triggered TCR. These results are consistent with a model in which transduction of the conformational change induced upon TCR triggering promotes condensation and shielding of the CD3 cytoplasmic tails.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, Dialyzed by ultrafiltration against 0.15 M NaCl, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, non-USA origin, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, Charcoal Stripped, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for hybridoma
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, Australia origin, suitable for, USDA approved, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for hybridoma
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, Heat Inactivated, non-USA origin, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, Heat Inactivated, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for insect cell culture, suitable for hybridoma
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, non-USA origin, from USDA approved countries, Heat Inactivated, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, γ-irradiated by SER-TAIN process, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, Heat Inactivated, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, Australia origin, USDA approved, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, Australia origin, USDA approved, Heat Inactivated, suitable for cell culture
Sigma-Aldrich
Fetal Bovine Serum, Australia origin, γ-irradiated, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture
SAFC
Fetal Bovine Serum, Australia origin, γ-irradiated, suitable for cell culture, suitable for hybridoma