Structure, specificity and CDR mobility of a class II restricted single-chain T-cell receptor

Using NMR spectroscopy, we determined the solution structure of a single-chain T-cell receptor (scTCR) derived from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted D10 TCR. The conformations of complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) 3β and 1α and surface properties of 2α are different from those of related class I-restricted TCRs. We infer a conserved orientation for TCR Vα domains in complexes with both class I and II MHC–peptide ligands, which implies that small structural variations in Vα confer MHC class preference. High mobility of CDR3 residues relative to other CDR or framework residues (picosecond time scale) provides insight into immune recognition and selection mechanisms.

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