T3 glycoprotein is functional although structurally distinct on human T-cell receptor gamma T lymphocytes.

The T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene product occurs in association with T3 (CD3) polypeptides on the surface of human T lymphocytes. TCR gamma lymphocytes express arrays of T3 polypeptides distinct from those typically observed on TCR alpha beta lymphocytes. This report demonstrates that identical T3 gamma, delta, and epsilon polypeptides are synthesized by TCR gamma lymphocytes and TCR alpha beta lymphocytes. However, the processing of T3 delta oligosaccharides is distinct in the two cell types. This observation may suggest distinct quaternary structures of these receptor complexes. Despite these structural differences, the T3 molecule on TCR gamma lymphocytes is functional. It is associated with and comodulates with TCR gamma and it serves as a substrate for protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation. Anti-T3 monoclonal antibodies induce a rapid increase in cytoplasmic free calcium, indicating that the receptor complex is involved in signal transduction and triggering of TCR gamma lymphocytes.