Final answer:
ZAP-70 interacts with the β chain of the T cell receptor, which is important for the activation of T cells in the immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
ZAP-70 (Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70) interacts with the β chain of the T cell receptor (TCR). The TCR is a crucial component of the adaptive immune system, allowing T cells to recognize antigens.
It is composed of two chains, each with variable and constant regions. The variable region is where the antigen-binding site is located, while the constant region has less variation and is involved in the signaling cascade which includes ZAP-70 interaction.
These interactions are vital for T cell activation and subsequent immune responses. The alpha-beta T cell receptors are the most common and important for these interactions, with the β chain specifically involved in ZAP-70 binding.