T cell receptor alpha variable 21 (TRAV21)

T cell receptor alpha variable 21 (TRAV21) encodes a variable segment of the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain, which is essential for antigen recognition by αβ T cells. The TCR, comprising alpha (TRA) and beta (TRB) chains, recognizes processed foreign antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells, triggering cell-mediated immune responses[1][2]. TRAV21 is one of many gene segments that are somatically recombined during T cell development to yield a diverse repertoire of TCRs, enabling recognition of a vast range of antigens. The variable domain, including CDR (complementarity determining regions), directly interacts with peptide-MHC complexes, contributing to T cell specificity and function[1][3]. While TRAV21 is not a therapeutic target per se, it can play a role in immunotherapies where defined TCR variable regions are engineered for specificity, such as in adoptive T cell therapies[3].

Other names

T cell receptor alpha variable 21TRAV21TCRAV21S1TCRAV23S1

Not applicable at this resolution (no drugs are known to target TRAV21 specifically; its mechanism is via *antigen recognition* as a TCR alpha variable segment)