Log on / register
BioMed Central home | Journals A-Z | Feedback | Support | My details
 

This article is part of the supplement: 3rd World Congress of the Global Arthritis Research Network (GARN): International Arthritis Summit

Oral presentation

Characterization of signaling complexes at the T-cell antigen receptor

L Samelson

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

from 3rd World Congress of the Global Arthritis Research Network (GARN): International Arthritis Summit
Summit Hall at Sheraton Resorts in Miyazaki, Japan. 14–17 September 2003

Arthritis Res Ther 2003, 5(Suppl 3):14doi:10.1186/ar815

Published: 12 September 2003

Oral presentation

Engagement of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) induces the assembly of signaling complexes comprised of adapter molecules and enzymes. We use multiple approaches in our characterization of these complexes and the process of signal transduction mediated by the TCR. Our genetic approach is the study of mutations in a critical adapter molecule, LAT. Some of these mutations lead to an interesting lympho-proliferative disorder. Signaling complexes can be studied in vitro using biochemical and biophysical methods to determine the rules of signal complex formation. Finally, we visualize the formation and fate of multi-protein complexes at the site of TCR activation. To do so, we express various fluorescently-tagged signaling proteins in T cells and observe clusters of molecules containing the TCR and important adapters and enzymes. Direct imaging of signaling molecules has revealed the highly dynamic nature of molecular interactions at the TCR.

Have something to say? Post a comment on this article!


© 1999-2008 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Part of Springer Science+Business Media.