Figure 2.

(a,b) The diversity of T-cell receptor (TCR)αβ is a result of genetic recombination and diversification mechanisms occurring at the α and β TCR chain loci. Diversity is first created in the germline via recombination of variable V, diversity D (for β chain), and joining J segments. Further diversification occurs through imprecise junctions of these gene segments (addition of P- and N-nucleotides adjacent to the D segment), and the combination of α and β chains.