T cell receptor
T cell receptor
The T cell receptor (pronounced: tee cell ree-sep-tor), often abbreviated as TCR, is a protein complex found on the surface of T cells, a type of white blood cell. The TCR is responsible for recognizing fragments of antigen as peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.
Etymology
The term "T cell receptor" is derived from the name of the cell type it is associated with, the T cell. The "T" in T cell stands for thymus, the organ in which these cells mature. The term "receptor" refers to the function of the protein complex as a receiver of signals.
Structure
The T cell receptor is a heterodimeric protein complex, typically consisting of an alpha (α) and a beta (β) chain, although in some cases, gamma (γ) and delta (δ) chains are used instead. These chains are encoded by the TR alpha gene and TR beta gene, respectively.
Function
The primary function of the T cell receptor is to recognize and bind to antigenic peptides presented by MHC molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. This binding triggers a series of intracellular signaling events that ultimately lead to T cell activation and an immune response.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response when introduced into the body.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC): A set of cell surface proteins essential for the acquired immune system to recognize foreign molecules.
- Antigen-presenting cell: A type of immune cell that processes and presents antigens for recognition by certain lymphocytes such as T cells.
- Immune response: The reaction of the cells and fluids of the body to the presence of a substance which is not recognized as a constituent of the body itself.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.