Cassette vectors directing expression of T cell receptor genes in transgenic mice

We describe a pair of cassette vectors that can be used to express rearranged T cell receptor genes in transgenic mice. Short DNA fragments containing rearranged V alpha and V beta segments are readily amplified from T cells and introduced between artificial cloning sites. Transgene-derived mRNAs are transcribed under the control of the natural TCR alpha and -beta promoter/enhancer elements. Using this vector, we have obtained transgenic mouse lines which display transgene-encoded TCR alpha and beta chains on a majority of T cells.