Sequence analysis of DA and Sprague Dawley rat T-cell receptor β-chain promoters

Human T-cell receptor (TCR) promoters vary in structure (Li et al. 1991; Rowen et al. 1996). Each TCRBV gene promoter appears distinct although family members often share features in common. Sometimes noncoding polymorphisms account for the major allelic differences between TCRBV gene segments (Kay et al. 1994: Posnett et al. 1994). Lineage specificity was thought to be conferred principally by the P-chain enhancer, but recent data suggest that TCRBV promoters bind several TCR-gene-specific regulatory factors, sometimes at cryptic motifs (Halle et al. 1997).