A long N-terminal-extended nested set of abundant and antigenic major histocompatibility complex class I natural ligands from HIV envelope protein

Viral antigens complexed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes on infected cells. Assays with synthetic peptides identify optimal MHC class I ligands often used for vaccines. However, when natural peptides are analyzed, more complex m...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Samino, Yolanda, Lopez, Daniel, Guil, Sara, Saveanu, Loredana, van Endert, Peter M, Val, Margarita del
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2006
País:España
Institución:Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
Repositorio:Repisalud
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/9697
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/9697
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Carrier Proteins
Cell Line, Tumor
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
HIV Envelope Protein gp160
Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
Apolipoproteins
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Molecular Sequence Data
Mutation
Peptide Fragments
Protein Transport
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
Trans-Activators
Descripción
Sumario:Viral antigens complexed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes on infected cells. Assays with synthetic peptides identify optimal MHC class I ligands often used for vaccines. However, when natural peptides are analyzed, more complex mixtures including long peptides bulging in the middle of the binding site or with carboxyl extensions are found, reflecting lack of exposure to carboxypeptidases in the antigen processing pathway. In contrast, precursor peptides are exposed to extensive cytosolic aminopeptidase activity, and fewer than 1% survive, only to be further trimmed in the endoplasmic reticulum. We show here a striking example of a nested set of at least three highly antigenic and similarly abundant natural MHC class I ligands, 15, 10, and 9 amino acids in length, derived from a single human immunodeficiency virus gp160 epitope. Antigen processing, thus, gives rise to a rich pool of possible ligands from which MHC class I molecules can choose. The natural peptide set includes a 15-residue-long peptide with unprecedented 6 N-terminal residues that most likely extend out of the MHC class I binding groove. This 15-mer is the longest natural peptide known recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and is surprisingly protected from aminopeptidase trimming in living cells.