TCR alpha-CD3 delta epsilon association is the initial step in alpha beta dimer formation in murine T cells and is limiting in immature CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes.

The present study has examined the molecular events leading to formation of alpha beta dimers in normal murine thymocytes and mature T cells. We demonstrate that TCR assembly proceeds by initial association of TCR alpha with CD3 delta epsilon proteins and by association of TCR beta with CD3 gamma epsilon proteins to form alpha delta epsilon and beta gamma epsilon trimers; these trimers then associate to form alpha delta epsilon-beta gamma epsilon complexes, within which alpha-beta disulfide bond formation occurs. We also show that TCR-associated protein (TRAP) associates uniquely with CD3 gamma epsilon pairs and that formation of beta gamma epsilon trimers occurs subsequent to TRAP dissociation. Importantly, we document that the assembly step that is quantitatively limiting in CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes is the initial association of TCR alpha with CD3 delta epsilon chains, which appears necessary to protect nascent TCR alpha proteins from accelerated degradation within the ER of immature thymocytes.