A ROLE FOR A PRE-T-CELL RECEPTOR IN T-CELL DEVELOPMENT

Expression of a productive T-cell receptor (TCR) beta gene has profoun d consequences for T-cell development, preceding an increase in thymoc yte number, appearance of CD4 and CD8 coreceptors and suppression of f urther TCRbeta-gene rearrangement. Here Marcus Groettrup and Harald vo n Boehmer discuss the data obtained in various experimental models and describe a novel signal transducing receptor complex on pre-T cells, which may regulate the TCRbeta-induced developmental changes.