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T-Cell Receptor
A Molecular Handshake
An elaborate handshake is performed between a T-cell and an infected cell to make sure that the death sentence is warranted. The primary contact is between the T-cell receptor and the MHC-peptide complex (the peptide is in bright red here). Then, CD molecules bind to other portions of the MHC, strengthening the interaction. Two types of interaction are shown here. MHC class I, which is found on the surface of most of our cells, interacts with T-cell receptors and CD8 on cell-killing T-cells. MHC class II is found primarily on cells that specialize in finding dangerous proteins. It interacts with T-cell receptors and CD4 on other T-cells that stimulate the immune system. All of these proteins are connected to the cell membranes by flexible chains and hinges, so that they can move around and form this complex interaction. This illustration was created using several PDB entries: 1akj, 1bd2, 1fyt, 1jl4 and 1wio.Next: Exploring the Structure
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Last changed by: A.Honegger,