The T 11 (CD 2) cDNA encodes a transmembrane protein which expresses T 11(1), T 11(2) and T 11(3) epitopes but which does not independently mediate calcium influx: analysis by gene transfer in a baculovirus system

Abstract

To determine whether a full-length human T 11 (CD 2) cDNA encodes a protein which expresses all three T 11 epitopes (T 11(1), T 11(2), T 11(3] and independently triggers activation in a cell other than a T lymphocyte, a baculovirus expression system was employed. Here we show that a recombinant T 11 cDNA-containing baculovirus can induce high-level expression of T 11(1), T 11(2) and T 11(3) epitopes on the surface of gut epithelial SF9 cells. However, in this environment the T 11 protein cannot be triggered to transduce a signal resulting in an elevation of the cytosolic free Ca2+ as is known to occur in T lymphocytes. These results support the notion that T 11 functions in a coordinate fashion with other intracellular lymphoid components.