Biosynthesis and maturation of the Lyt-2/3 molecular complex in mouse thymocytes

The biosynthesis and maturation of the three subunits alpha (Mr = 37,000), beta (Mr = 32,000), and gamma (Mr = 27,000) of the mouse Lyt-2/3 antigenic complex have been studied by using two monoclonal antibodies directed against a monomorphic determinant of the Lyt-2 antigen. Short time-pulse labeling of thymocytes reveals three different high mannose intermediates that give rise upon endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase H digestion to three distinct precursor polypeptides of Mr = 22,000 (alpha P), Mr = 18,000 (beta P), and Mr = 19,500 (gamma P). Pulse-chase analysis indicates rapid posttranslational processing, because mature forms already appear after 10 min of chase. The half-life of the endo-H-sensitive early forms are in the range of 20 to 30 min. Both the alpha and beta subunits are suggested to contain three N-asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, one of which is of the high mannose type. In contrast, the gamma-chain contains only one such glycan unit of the complex type. Moreover, the results presented show that all three chains undergo additional posttranslational modifications. Finally, the data suggest that the cytoplasmic domains of these chains are of different size.