Open AccessStructure of HLA‐A*0301 in complex with a peptide of proteolipid protein: insights into the role of HLA‐A alleles in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
McMahon Róisín M.,
Friis Lone,
Siebold Christian,
Friese Manuel A.,
Fugger Lars,
Jones E. Yvonne
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section d
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1399-0047
DOI - 10.1107/s0907444911007888
Subject(s) - human leukocyte antigen , major histocompatibility complex , proteolipid protein 1 , myelin basic protein , biology , myelin proteolipid protein , immunology , multiple sclerosis , myelin , mhc class i , epitope , peptide , mhc class ii , t cell receptor , immune system , antigen , t cell , central nervous system , neuroscience , biochemistry
The structure of the human major histocompatability (MHC) class I molecule HLA‐A*0301 (HLA‐A3) in complex with a nonameric peptide (KLIETYFSK) has been determined by X‐ray crystallography to 2.7 Å resolution. HLA‐A3 is a predisposing allele for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The KLIETYFSK peptide is a naturally processed epitope of proteolipid protein, a myelin protein and candidate target for immune‐mediated myelin destruction in MS. Comparison of the structure of HLA‐A3 with that of HLA‐A2, an MHC class I molecule which is protective against MS, indicates that both MHC class I molecules present very similar faces for T‐cell receptor recognition whilst differing in the specificity of their peptide‐binding grooves. These characteristics may underlie the opposing (predisposing versus protective) associations that they exhibit both in humans and in mouse models of MS‐like disease. Furthermore, subtle alterations within the peptide‐binding groove of HLA‐A3 and other A3‐like MHC class I molecules, members of the so‐called A3 superfamily, may be sufficient to alter their presentation of autoantigen peptides such as KLIETYFSK. This in turn may modulate their contribution to the associated risk of autoimmune disease.