The ABCs of immunology: structure and function of TAP, the transporter associated with antigen processing.
The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) is essential for peptide delivery from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where these peptides are loaded on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I molecules. Loaded MHC I leave the ER and display their antigenic cargo on the cell surface to cytotoxic T cells. Subsequently, virus-infected or malignantly transformed cells can be eliminated. Here we discuss the structure, function, and mechanism of TAP as a central part of the peptide-loading complex. Furthermore, aspects of virus and tumor escape strategies are presented.
Abele
Rupert
R
Institute of Biochemistry, Biozentrum Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, D-60439 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Tampé
Robert
R
D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000071181:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2; D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C073119:TAP1 protein, human; C071692:TAP2 protein, human