Details for: TRAV13 2

Gene ID: 28670

Gene Type:  Other  - A known gene or region type that lacks a specific category. Includes immunoglobulin (Ig), T-cell receptor (TCR) gene segments, and repetitive elements.

Symbol: TRAV13 2

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000211791

Description: T cell receptor alpha variable 13-2

Cell Significance Landscape

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • double-positive, alpha-beta thymocyte CL0000809
    CSI 22.4
    rCSI 22.83%
    PRS 99.78
  • CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T cell CL0000794
    CSI 6
    rCSI 7.17%
    PRS 99.97

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

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  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
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  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) is a gene that encodes the T cell receptor alpha variable 13-2 protein, a component of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex. As a variable (V) gene segment, it plays a critical role in generating the vast diversity of TCRs necessary for the adaptive immune system to recognize a wide array of antigens. Expression data strongly indicates that [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) is integral to the development and function of alpha-beta T cells, with its most significant expression observed in thymocytes undergoing selection and in mature cytotoxic T cells. Its function is primarily associated with antigen recognition within the context of the [adaptive immune response](/details-cell/GO:0002250). ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) highlights its specialized role within the T cell lineage. * **Overall** context, the gene shows its highest significance in [double-positive, alpha-beta thymocyte](/details-cell/CL0000809) (CSI: 22.40). This exceptionally high score suggests that [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) is a defining component of the TCRs expressed during T cell development in the thymus, a critical stage where T cells undergo positive and negative selection to form a functional and self-tolerant repertoire. * The gene is also a significant marker in mature [CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T cell](/details-cell/CL0000794) (CSI: 6.00). This indicates that T cell clones utilizing the [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) segment are successfully selected, mature, and persist in the periphery, where they contribute to cell-mediated immunity. The expression in this cell type points to a functional role in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response against pathogens or transformed cells. Collectively, the data portrays [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) as a key V-gene segment for T cells, with a crucial role beginning in thymic development and continuing into the effector functions of mature cytotoxic T cells in the peripheral immune system. ## Pathways and Molecular Function Functional annotation confirms the role of [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) in T cell-mediated immunity. As a structural component of the [T cell receptor complex](/details-cell/GO:0042101), it is directly involved in the molecular machinery that recognizes peptide antigens presented by MHC molecules. This function is central to its participation in the broader biological process of the [adaptive immune response](/details-cell/GO:0002250). Furthermore, its annotation for [response to bacterium](/details-cell/GO:0009617) is consistent with its expression in [CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T cell](/details-cell/CL0000794), a cell type critical for clearing intracellular bacterial infections. ## Research Directions The specific expression and function of [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) suggest several avenues for future investigation. ### Proposed Hypotheses 1. The high significance of [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) in [double-positive, alpha-beta thymocyte](/details-cell/CL0000809) suggests it may confer a structural bias that favors successful positive selection on common self-MHC alleles, potentially leading to its overrepresentation in the naive T cell repertoire of certain individuals. 2. T cell clones expressing [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) may be preferentially expanded in response to specific, immunodominant antigens from common pathogens (e.g., viruses or bacteria), suggesting this V-gene segment is particularly well-suited for recognizing certain pathogenic peptides. ### Key Experiments To test the hypothesis that [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) is associated with responses to specific pathogens, one could perform high-throughput single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq with coupled TCR sequencing) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a cohort of individuals before and after infection with a specific bacterium or virus. A significant increase in the frequency of T cell clonotypes utilizing the [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) gene segment post-infection would provide strong evidence for its role in mounting an immune response against that particular pathogen. ### Therapeutic Potential As a TCR component, [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670) is not a conventional drug target. However, its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic tool is significant. If T cells bearing this V-gene segment are identified as being clonally expanded and pathogenic in specific autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis or type 1 diabetes), they could be targeted for depletion. Conversely, if tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes that are reactive against cancer antigens are found to frequently use [TRAV13 2](/details-gene/28670), this segment could be used to identify and isolate potent anti-tumor T cells for use in adoptive cell therapies like CAR-T or TCR-T.