Rearrangement of T-cell receptor beta-chain genes during T-cell development.

Abstract
The kinetics and order of rearrangements in the gene complex encoding [mouse] T-cell-receptor .beta. chains were studied by Southern blot hybridization in a collection of hybridomas derived from fetal thymocytes at various stages of ontogeny (day 14 to day 17). The results show a steady increase in the frequency of rearranged .beta. complexes during this period and suggest that these rearrangements occur within the thymus. .beta.-chain diversity region (D.beta.) to .beta.-chain joining region (J.beta.) joining preceded other types of rearrangements. More complex hybridizatiion patterns consistent with fully rearranged functional .beta.-chain genes did not begin to accumulate until day 16, 1 day prior to significant surface expression of the receptor protein.