Abstract
Abstract The TCR/CD3 complex has been intensively studied in mammals, but it has been difficult to isolate homologues in other vertebrates. Here, we characterize the chicken ζ-chain, the first nonmammalian homologue identified. The comparison of mammalian and chicken ζ proteins revealed high identity of the transmembrane and the C-terminal cytoplasmic domains. Transfection of a mouse ζ-deficient cell line, with the chicken ζ gene, restored surface expression of the murine TCR/CD3 complex. The chicken ζ-chain was stably associated with the mouse TCR/CD3 components and fully restored its signaling capacity upon stimulation with Ab, superantigen, and peptide Ag. This is the first report of a nonmammalian TCR component that is capable of fully restoring a mammalian TCR in every aspect analyzed, thus demonstrating the enormous selective pressure to maintain the ζ-chain as a structural and signaling component over a period of 300 million years.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
