Chemistry of peptides associated with MHC class I and class II molecules

Curr Opin Immunol. 1995 Feb;7(1):85-96. doi: 10.1016/0952-7915(95)80033-6.

Abstract

Recent developments have led to a clearer understanding of the association between peptides and MHC molecules. It is now clear that the peptides presented by MHC class I or class II molecules follow stringent rules that are different for each allelic product. The allele-specific interaction usually involves a sequence of nine amino acids spanning the MHC groove. For class I molecules, the entire peptide ligand is involved in allele-specific interaction with MHC but for class II, the peptides are longer and the nine amino acid sequence is roughly central to the peptide. Allele-specific interactions are brought about by anchoring peptide side chains in complementary pockets in the MHC groove. The sum of allele-specific peptide-MHC interaction requirements can be described as a motif, characterized by number, spacing and specificities of anchors, as well as the more degenerate preferences at non-anchor positions within the nonamer stretches. Such information is useful for T-cell epitope predictions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / chemistry*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / chemistry*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / metabolism

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Peptides