What is the role of alternate splicing in antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules?
The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the cell surface is critical for recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). This recognition event leads to destruction of cells displaying MHC class I-viral peptide complexes or cells displaying MHC class I-mutant peptide complexes. Before they can be transported to the cell surface, MHC class I molecules must associate with their peptide ligand in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the cell. Within the ER, numerous proteins assist in the appropriate assembly and folding of MHC class I molecules. These include the heterodimeric transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1 and TAP2), the heterodimeric chaperone-oxidoreductase complex of tapasin and ERp57 and the general ER chaperones calreticulin and calnexin. Each of these accessory proteins has a well-defined role in antigen presentation by MHC class I molecules. However, alternate splice forms of MHC class I heavy chains, TAP and tapasin, have been reported suggesting additional complexity to the picture of antigen presentation. Here, we review the importance of these different accessory proteins and the progress in our understanding of alternate splicing in antigen presentation.
Belicha-Villanueva
Alan
A
Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Blickwedehl
Jennifer
J
McEvoy
Sarah
S
Golding
Michelle
M
Gollnick
Sandra O
SO
Bangia
Naveen
N
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C107762:tapasin