T Cell Receptors (Week 5)

Question 1

Similarities of TCRs to BCRs

Answer 1

• Similar structure (resembles
  Fab arm)
• Undergo somatic gene rearrangement
• Diverse repertoire of antigen
  recognition because every T cell has a unique TCR

Question 2

Differences between TCRs and BCRs

Answer 2

• Only bind peptides on MHC
  molecules (BCRs recognize most intact macromolecules)
• Interact with antigen in univalent fashion (one antigen binding site)
• No soluble/secreted form

Question 4

Alpha chain resembles…

Answer 4

light chain (V and J segments)

Question 5

Beta chain resembles…

Answer 5

heavy chain (V,D, and J segments)

Question 6

Two Classes of TCRs

Answer 6

• 𝛼β and γ𝛿
• 𝛼 and γ chains resemble
  each other
• β and 𝛿 chains resemble
  each other

Question 7

Differences between γ𝛿 TCR and 𝛼β TCR

Answer 7

• γ𝛿 receptors have less V gene segments than 𝛼β = less diverse
• Compensation = two D segments can be incorporated to final 𝛿 chain (due to RSS locations) and extra N nucleotides can be added due to this