T cell receptor alpha variable 38-1 (TRAV38-1)

T cell receptor alpha variable 38-1 (TRAV38-1) is a protein-coding gene that encodes the variable region of the alpha chain of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex[1][3]. The T cell receptor is a disulfide-linked, membrane-anchored heterodimer on the surface of T lymphocytes, responsible for recognizing foreign antigens presented as peptide fragments bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells[2]. Each TCR is composed of an alpha and beta chain (or less commonly, gamma and delta chains), with diversity generated via somatic recombination (V-J for alpha chains, with TRAV38-1 being one of the variable gene segments)[1][2][3]. The binding of TCR to peptide-MHC (pMH) complexes initiates a cascade of intracellular signaling, leading to T cell activation, differentiation, and immune response[1][3]. While TCR alpha variable 38-1 itself is a gene segment contributing to the diversity of the TCR repertoire, it is not considered a direct therapeutic target, nor is it associated with specific drug interactions or biomarker roles.

Other names

TRAV381TCRAV14S2TCRAV38S1