The structure, rearrangement and expression of Dβ gene segments of the murine T-cell antigen receptor

Abstract

It has been postulated that the variable region of the β-polypeptide of the murine T-cell antigen receptor is encoded by three distinct germ-line gene segments—variable (V_β), diversity (D_β) and joining (J_β)—that are rearranged to generate a V_β gene. Germ-line V_β and J_β gene segments have been isolated previously. Here we report the isolation and characterization of two germ-line D_β gene segments that have recognition signals for DNA rearrangement strikingly similar to those found in the three immunoglobulin gene families and in V_β and J_β gene segments. The D_β and J_β segments can join in the absence of V_β gene segment rearrangement and these rearranged sequences are transcribed in some T cells.