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T-cell receptor

(Science: immunology) The antigen recognising receptor on the surface of t-cells. Heterodimeric (disulphide linked), one of the immunoglobulin superfamily of proteins, binds antigen in association with the [[major Histocompatibility complex]] (mHC), leading to the activation of the cell.

there are two subunits (_ and _, 42-44 kD in mouse, 50-40 kd in humans), each with variable and constant regions, that are associated noncovalently with t3 (20-30 kd). A second heterodimer on cD3 cells with _ (35 kd in mice, 55 kd in humans) and _ (45 kd in mice, 40 kd in humans) chains is a second t-cell antigen receptor that is not mHC restricted. The __ [[t-Cell receptors]] (TCRs) are formed on very early t-cells in the thymus.