T-Cell Receptor Delta-Gene Rearrangements In Early Thymocytes

The T-cell receptor δ-chain variable region can be assembled from as many as four distinct gene segments, V, D1 D2 and J, more than any other antigen-receptor gene. In fetal thymocytes V → D joinings are as common as D → J or VDJ rearrangements and one V gene segment predominates. Analysis of rearrangements at TCR γ and δ loci during fetal ontogeny suggests abrupt changes and possible coordinate control in the rearrangement and expression of these loci.