A soluble human single-chain T cell receptor (TCR) having the structure: Vα2-L-Vβ or Vβ-L-Vα2, wherein L is a linker peptide that links Vβ with Vα, Vβ is a TCR variable β region, and Vα2 is a TCR variable α region of the family 2 is provided. The provided scTCR is useful for many purposes, including the treatment of cancer, viral diseases and autoimmune diseases.