title: MHC and MHC-related proteins as pleiotropic signal molecules.
abstract: Class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been studied primarily for their role in presenting peptide antigens to conventional T lymphocytes. An increasing body of evidence suggests that MHC and newly characterized MHC-related molecules have a much more varied function in the body. Many of these molecules are involved in pleiotropic interactions with other proteins, which initiate signal transduction cascades and contribute to cellular and tissue homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Biologie Moléculaire du Gène de l'Institut Pasteur, Université Paris 7, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ojcius
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delarbre
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kourilsky
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gachelin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic