title: Distinct molecular mechanisms account for the specificity of two different T-cell receptors.
abstract: Analysis of the thermodynamics of the interactions between the D3 T-cell receptor (TCR) and its natural ligand, an HIV peptide bound to a HLA-A0201 (HLA-A2) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein, shows both similarities and striking differences when compared with the 2B4 TCR binding to its peptide-MHC ligand. The equilibrium thermodynamic parameters of both reactions are consistent with a conformational adjustment at the binding interface during the formation of specific TCR-peptide-MHC complexes. However, osmolytic reagents that dehydrate protein surfaces have profoundly different effects on the strength of the two reactions, indicating that water molecules make very different contributions-enhancing the binding of D3 TCR but weakening the binding of 2B4 TCR. The use of these different mechanisms by TCRs to recognize ligands might be an important means augmenting their inherent cross-reactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Kimmel Cancer Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Anikeeva
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lebedeva
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krogsgaard
authors.forename: Sergey Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tetin
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez-Hackert
authors.forename: Spyros A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kalams
authors.forename: Mark M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sykulev
mesh_terms: D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D008024:Ligands; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C473991:p17 gag peptide, human immunodeficiency virus; D014867:Water