Two forms of the T-cell receptor γ protein found on peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Abstract

The T-cell receptor (TCR) γ polypeptide is expressed associated with CD3(T3) on the surface of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These cells function as non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and thus may play an important role in host immune defence. The TCR γ polypeptide occurs as a dimer in at least two molecular forms based on the absence or presence of disulphide linkage. These forms use TCR γ polypeptides with strikingly different peptide backbone sizes. © 1987 Nature Publishing Group.