T-Cell Receptor Alpha Locus

**Semantic type:** Gene or Genome

**Definition:** This region represents the germline organization of the T cell receptor alpha locus. The alpha locus includes V (variable), J (joining), and C (constant) segments. During T cell development, the alpha chain is synthesized by a recombination event at the DNA level joining a V segment with a J segment. The C segment is later joined by splicing at the RNA level. Recombination of many different V segments with several J segments provides a wide range of antigen recognition. Additional diversity is attained by junctional diversity, resulting from the random additional of nucleotides by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase. (from LocusLink)

**Synonyms:** - T-Cell Receptor Alpha Gene - TCRA - TRA - TRA - TRA