# BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF HUMAN T CELL SURFACE MARKERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 1988 · $136,786

## Abstract

Differentiation of eukaryotic cells involves precisely orchestrated changes
in transcription and translation of several sets of genes.  The final
stages of differentiation of T lymphocytes occur primarily within the
thymus gland.  The T3/T cell receptor complex, consisting of a variable
heterodimer of the T cell receptor (Alpha and Beta chains) and the three
invariable polypeptides (T3-Gamma, Delta and Epsilon), is expressed only on
the surface of mature thymocytes.  This complex is indispensable for the
interactions between T cells and antigen presenting cells or target cells
and plays a major role in the initiation of T cell activation.

To explore the nature of assembly of the T3/T cell receptor complex during
T lymphocyte maturation we will isolate the genes coding for the three
invariable polypeptide chains (T3-Gamma, Delta and Epsilon) of the T3/T
cell receptor complex in humans and mice.  Thymocyte subpopulations and T
leukemic cells will be analyzed for expression of the T3 genes in relation
to the expression of the T cell receptor Alpha and Beta genes and the T
lineage specific genes T4 and TBeta.  The assemblage of the T3/T cell
receptor complex will be investigated using several approaches including
the generation of somatic cell variants.  In vitro DNA transfer techniques
and site directed mutagenesis.  The regulation of expression of the genes
of the T3/T cell receptor complex will be studied by a series of in vitro
experiments.  These include the search for tissue specific transcriptional
enhancer elements.  The factors that determine the developmental regulation
of the T3/T cell receptor complex will be studied in vivo by generating
transgenic mice using mouse/human hybrid T3-Gamma, Delta and Epsilon
genes.  The proposed experiments with transgenic mice will lead to an
understanding of the coordination of transcriptional and translational
control of T lineage specific genes.  The data obtained from these studies
will also contribute to our knowledge of leukemogenesis and other disease
states such as immunodeficiencies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127321
- **Project number:** 5R01AI017651-08
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **SAM.gov UEI:** DPMGH9MG1X67
- **Principal Investigator:** CORNELIS P TERHORST
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $136,786
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-03-01 → 1991-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127321

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127321, BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF HUMAN T CELL SURFACE MARKERS (5R01AI017651-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127321. Licensed CC0.

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