title: Specialized role for a murine class I-b MHC molecule in prokaryotic host defenses.
abstract: Although nonclassical (class I-b) gene products represent the majority of murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, the role of these relatively nonpolymorphic molecules remains uncertain. Recently, one such protein, H-2M3 (formerly designated Hmt), was shown to bind and specifically present N-formylated peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Because N-formylation is characteristic of prokaryotic proteins, this MHC molecule may be especially adapted for a role in the mammalian defense against bacterial attack. The current studies demonstrate that an MHC molecule, indistinguishable from H-2M3, presents antigens derived from the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to Listeria-specific CD8+ cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kurlander
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shawar
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D005561:Formates / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D005561:Formates; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D010455:Peptides