How do B cells differ from T cells in terms of gene expression?

As part of an ongoing program to identify the genes that distinguish B cells from T cells, we have analyzed 910 molecular species of polypeptides detectable in mouse lymphocytes by 2D gel electrophoresis. Of these 910 polypeptides, 488 were present in both B and T cells, 185 in B but not T cells, and 237 in T but not B cells. The detected set of polypeptides accounts for more than 95% of the protein mass of lymphocytes. There are about 2000 other polypeptides that are below the threshold of detection. We have started to identify and to retrieve cDNA clones belonging to the B and T cell subset.