title: A point mutation in beta2-microglobulin results in loss of epitope expression.
abstract: A common tool in studying the structure and function of major histocompatibility complex: (MHC) class I is the generation and analysis of beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) mutations. beta2m has been shown to affect proper class I antigen presentation at the level of structural functionality. Many studies characterizing beta2m function in class I presentation have used antibody-based assays. Monitoring the effect of beta2m mutation on antibody epitope expression, therefore, is essential in being able to truly characterize the impact of a mutant interaction between beta2m and class I. Here we describe a mutant beta2m molecule, beta2m #32, that in association with class I loses reactivity with the human beta2m-specific monoclonal antibody, BBM.1. However, the BBM.1 epitope remains intact when beta2m #32 is free from class I association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Hayward 94542, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dimaano
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Nieto
mesh_terms: D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin