A role for a pre-T-cell receptor in T-cell development

Expression of a productive T-cell receptor (TCR) beta gene has profound consequences for T-cell development, preceding an increase in thymocyte number, appearance of CD4 and CD8 coreceptors and suppression of further TCR beta-gene rearrangement. Here Marcus Groettrup and Harald von Boehmer discuss the data obtained in various experimental models and describe a novel signal transducing receptor complex on pre-T cells, which may regulate the TCR beta-induced developmental changes.