Transcription factors and target genes of pre-TCR signaling

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2015-06, Vol.72 (12), p.2305-2321
• Main Authors: López-Rodríguez, Cristina, Aramburu, Jose, Berga-Bolaños, Rosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bcl2A1; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; cell viability; Cellular biology; E2A/HEB proteins; ETS1; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; genes; Growth factors; Humans; Immune system; Intrinsic apoptotic pathway; Life Sciences; Lymphocyte Activation; NF-κB; NFAT5; NFATc; p53; Pre-TCR expression; Pre-TCR signaling; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - metabolism; Review; Signal Transduction; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - physiology; Thymocyte development; thymocytes; Transcription factor; transcription factors; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1864-8

Almost 30 years ago pioneering work by the laboratories of Harald von Boehmer and Susumo Tonegawa provided the first indications that developing thymocytes could assemble a functional TCRβ chain-containing receptor complex, the pre-TCR, before TCRα expression. The discovery and study of the pre-TCR complex revealed paradigms of signaling pathways in control of cell survival and proliferation, and culminated in the recognition of the multifunctional nature of this receptor. As a receptor integrated in a dynamic developmental process, the pre-TCR must be viewed not only in the light of the biological outcomes it promotes, but also in context with those molecular processes that drive its expression in thymocytes. This review article focuses on transcription factors and target genes activated by the pre-TCR to drive its different outcomes.