T cell receptor alpha variable 40 (TRAV40)

TRAV40 encodes a variable region segment of the alpha chain of the T cell receptor (TCR), an essential component of adaptive immunity[1]. The TCR is a heterodimeric protein complex expressed on T lymphocytes' surfaces, responsible for recognizing peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells[2][7]. During T cell development in the thymus, the alpha chain is produced via somatic recombination of variable (V) and joining (J) gene segments, with TRAV40 being one of many possible V segments available[1][3]. The resulting diversity in TCR specificity enables the immune system to recognize a vast array of pathogens and transformed cells[4][7]. While the TCR complex is vital for T cell activation and is the focus of some immunotherapies, individual V gene segments such as TRAV40 are not direct therapeutic targets, but their use can be monitored in immune repertoire analyses to study immune diversity or clonality in disease[1][3][7].

Other names

TCRAV40TCRAV31S1TCRAV40S1

N/A for TRAV40 specifically (drugs do not target this variable segment directly)