JUNCTIONAL REGION OF THE MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN-SPECIFIC T-CELL RECEPTOR-BETA CHAIN IN MICE

Evidence for the existence of both conserved and diverse amino acid se quences in the junctional regions of the myelin basic protein (MBP)-sp ecific T cell receptors (TCR) in mice is presented. The junctional reg ion of the Nacl-11 MBP peptide-specific, H-2(u)-restricted TCR beta-ch ains is characterized by the utilization of similar amino acid sequenc es. In contrast, diverse junctional sequences within the TCR beta-chai ns of the p89-101 MBP peptide and H-2(s)-restricted T cell clones are reported. These findings demonstrate that a limited heterogeneity of t he MBP-specific T cell clones does exist. However, it may not be unive rsal even in inbred mouse strains.