title: Structures of HLA-A*1101 complexed with immunodominant nonamer and decamer HIV-1 epitopes clearly reveal the presence of a middle, secondary anchor residue.
abstract: HLA-A*1101 is one of the most common human class I alleles worldwide. An increased frequency of HLA-A*1101 has been observed in cohorts of female sex workers from Northern Thailand who are highly exposed to HIV-1 and yet have remained persistently seronegative. In view of this apparent association of HLA-A*1101 with resistance to acquisition of HIV-1 infection, and given the importance of eliciting strong CTL responses to control and eliminate HIV-1, we have determined the crystal structure of HLA-A*1101 complexed with two immunodominant HIV-1 CTL epitopes: the nonamer reverse transcriptase(313-321) (AIFQSSMTK) and decamer Nef(73-82) (QVPLRPMTYK) peptides. The structures confirm the presence of primary anchor residues P2-Ile/-Val and P9-/P10-Lys, and also clearly reveal the presence of secondary anchor residues P6-Ser for reverse transcriptase and P7-Met for Nef. The overall backbone conformation of both peptides is defined as two bulges that are separated by a more buried middle residue. In this study, we discuss how this topology may offer functional advantages in the selection and presentation of HIV-1 CTL epitopes by HLA-A*1101. Overall, this structural analysis permits a more accurate definition of the peptide-binding motif of HLA-A*1101, the characterization of its antigenic surface, and the correlation of molecular determinants with resistance to HIV-1 infection. These studies are relevant for the rational design of HLA-A*1101-restricted CTL epitopes with improved binding and immunological properties for the development of HIV-1 vaccines.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Lenong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouvier
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015693:Gene Products, nef / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000737:chemistry*; D059870:HLA-A11 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013816:Thermodynamics; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D015693:Gene Products, nef; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D059870:HLA-A11 Antigen; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase