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Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

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T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
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Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

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One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
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tRNA Activation02:26

tRNA Activation

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Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are present in both eukaryotes and bacteria. Though eukaryotes have 20 different aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to couple to 20 amino acids, many bacteria do not have genes for all of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Despite this, they still use all 20 amino acids to synthesize their proteins. For instance, some bacteria do not have the gene encoding the enzyme that couples glutamine with its partner tRNA. In these organisms, one enzyme adds glutamic acid to all of the...
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B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

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The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
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Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

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Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
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T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

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When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Comprehensive Epigenetic Analysis for Investigating Human Cellular Plasticity and Environmental Adaptation Using Immunofluorescence Assays
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Author Spotlight: Comprehensive Epigenetic Analysis for Investigating Human Cellular Plasticity and Environmental Adaptation Using Immunofluorescence Assays

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Dynamic changes in tRNA modifications and abundance during T cell activation.

Roni Rak1,2, Michal Polonsky3,4, Inbal Eizenberg-Magar3

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|October 13, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Transfer RNA (tRNA) levels and modifications change during T cell proliferation, impacting translation accuracy. Reduced tRNA modifications during T cell activation may increase ribosomal frameshifting, potentially explaining HIV tropism.

Keywords:
HIVT cell activationtRNA-modificationstransfer RNA

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A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins
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Genome-wide Analysis of Aminoacylation Charging Levels of tRNA Using Microarrays
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A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins
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Genome-wide Analysis of Aminoacylation Charging Levels of tRNA Using Microarrays
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Genome-wide Analysis of Aminoacylation Charging Levels of tRNA Using Microarrays

Published on: June 18, 2010

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Transfer RNA (tRNA) supply and messenger RNA (mRNA) demand dynamics are altered during cancer proliferation.
  • Less is known about tRNA and mRNA pool changes during normal physiological proliferation, particularly in T cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate dynamic changes in tRNA and mRNA pools during T cell proliferation and differentiation.
  • To explore the role of tRNA modifications in regulating translation fidelity during T cell activation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of tRNA and mRNA pools in T cells during antigen receptor-triggered proliferation and differentiation.
  • Sequencing of tRNAs to assess base-modifications, including wybutosine and ms2t6A.
  • Utilizing reporter assays in human cell lines to detect ribosomal frameshifting.

Main Results:

  • A global shift in codon demand and corresponding tRNA expression changes were observed during early T cell proliferation.
  • T cell differentiation led to a relaxation of tRNA pool responses to basal levels, potentially limiting proliferation.
  • Wybutosine and ms2t6A modifications were significantly reduced in activated T cells, correlating with increased ribosomal frameshifting.
  • Human cell lines lacking a wybutosine writer exhibited heightened ribosomal frameshifting.

Conclusions:

  • T cell proliferation involves dynamic regulation of tRNA expression and modifications, influencing translation fidelity.
  • Reduced frameshift-protective tRNA modifications during T cell activation may increase proteome-wide frameshifting.
  • These findings offer a potential explanation for HIV's tropism towards proliferating T cells due to its reliance on ribosomal frameshifting.