Complete primary structure of a heterodimeric T-cell receptor deduced from cDNA sequences.

Two related, but distinct, cDNA clones have been isolated and sequenced from a functional murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte clone. The genes corresponding to these cDNA are expressed and rearranged specifically in T cells and both have similarities to immunoglobulin variable and constant region genes. It is concluded that these genes code for the two subunits of the heterodimeric antigen receptor on the surface of the T cell; its complete deduced primary structure is presented.