부산대학교 도서관

Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase p59fynparticipates in signal transduction from the T cell receptor (TCR). To examine this hypothesis in detail, we have produced mice that lack the thymic isoform of p59fynbut retain expression of the brain isoform of the protein. fynTnullmice exhibit a remarkably specific lymphoid defect: thymocytes are refractile to stimulation through the TCR with mitogen or antigen, while peripheral T cells, following what appears to be a normal maturation sequence, reacquire significant signaling capabilities. These data confirm that p59fynTplays a pivotal role in TCR signal transduction and demonstrate that additional developmentally regulated signaling components also contribute to TCR-induced lymphocyte activation.