title: Crystal structure of the MHC class I homolog MIC-A, a gammadelta T cell ligand.
abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I homolog MIC-A functions as a stress-inducible antigen that is recognized by a subset of gammadelta T cells independent of beta2-microglobulin and bound peptides. Its crystal structure reveals a dramatically altered MHC class I fold, both in detail and overall domain organization. The only remnant of a peptide-binding groove is a small cavity formed as the result of disordering a large section of one of the groove-defining helices. Loss of beta2-microglobulin binding is due to a restructuring of the interaction interfaces. Structural mapping of sequence variation suggests potential receptor binding sites on the underside of the platform on the side opposite of the surface recognized by alphabeta T cell receptors on MHC class I-peptide complexes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Science, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Willie
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Spies
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Strong
mesh_terms: D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin