T-Cell Receptor Purification

The antigen receptor expressed on most T-lymphocytes (T-cell antigen receptor [TCR]) is a multisubunit complex consisting of at least six different polypeptides (α, β, γ, δ, ɛ, and ζ), several of which are modified by addition of N-linked oligosaccharide chains Oligosaccharide side chains on TCR glycoproteins undergo well-characterized processing events within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi systems, including removal of mannose residues and subsequent addition of galactose and sialic acid oligosaccharides. In the current chapter, a method is described for the isolation of immature and mature TCR complexes from murine T-lymphocytes using lectin affinity chromatography This technique is rapid, sensitive, and does not disrupt the integrity of assembled TCR complexes.