title: Superantigens as immunomodulators: recent structural insights.
abstract: Superantigens interact with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and T-cell receptors (TcRs) forming a trimolecular complex which is able to induce proliferation and cytokine production in T cells. Although superantigens appear to act through a common mechanism, they very in many of their specific interactions and biological properties. X-ray crystallographic studies and biochemical experiments have now established that cross-linking of MHC class II molecules and the TcR by superantigens can occur in a number of different modes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Acharya
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018089:Superantigens