scholarly journals Probing the S1 specificity pocket of the aminopeptidases that generate antigenic peptides

2011 ◽  
Vol 435 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efthalia Zervoudi ◽  
Athanasios Papakyriakou ◽  
Dimitra Georgiadou ◽  
Irini Evnouchidou ◽  
Anna Gajda ◽  
...  

ERAP1 (endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1), ERAP2 and IRAP (insulin-regulated aminopeptidase) are three homologous enzymes that play critical roles in the generation of antigenic peptides. These aminopeptidases excise amino acids from N-terminally extended precursors of antigenic peptides in order to generate the correct length epitopes for binding on to MHC class I molecules. The specificity of these peptidases can affect antigenic peptide selection, but has not yet been investigated in detail. In the present study we utilized a collection of 82 fluorigenic substrates to define a detailed selectivity profile for each of the three enzymes and to probe structural and functional features of the S1 (primary specificity) pocket. Molecular modelling of the three S1 pockets reveals substrate–enzyme interactions that are critical determinants for specificity. The substrate selectivity profiles suggest that IRAP largely combines the S1 specificity of ERAP1 and ERAP2, consistent with its proposed biological function. IRAP, however, does not achieve this dual specificity by simply combining structural features of ERAP1 and ERAP2, but rather by an unique amino acid change at position 541. The results of the present study provide insights on antigenic peptide selection and may prove valuable in designing selective inhibitors or activity markers for this class of enzymes.

1991 ◽  
Vol 174 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Romero ◽  
G Corradin ◽  
I F Luescher ◽  
J L Maryanski

We have defined structural features that are apparently important for the binding of four different, unrelated antigenic epitopes to the same major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, H-2Kd. The four epitopes are recognized in the form of synthetic peptides by cytotoxic T lymphocytes of the appropriate specificity. By analysis of the relative potency of truncated peptides, we demonstrated that for each of the four epitopes, optimal antigenic activity was present in a peptide of 9 or 10 amino acid residues. A comparison of the relative competitor activity of the different-length peptides in a functional competition assay, as well as in a direct binding assay based on photoaffinity labeling of the Kd molecule, indicated that the enhanced potency of the peptides upon reduction in length was most likely due to a higher affinity of the shorter peptides for the Kd molecule. A remarkably simple motif that appears to be important for the specific binding of Kd-restricted peptides was identified by the analysis of peptides containing amino acid substitutions or deletions. The motif consists of two elements, a Tyr in the second position relative to the NH2 terminus and a hydrophobic residue with a large aliphatic side chain (Leu, Ile, or Val) at the COOH-terminal end of the optimal 9- or 10-mer peptides. We demonstrated that a simple peptide analogue (AYP6L) that incorporates the motif can effectively and specifically interact with the Kd molecule. Moreover, all of the additional Kd-restricted epitopes defined thus far in the literature contain the motif, and it may thus be useful for the prediction of new epitopes recognized by T cells in the context of this MHC class I molecule.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Anasir ◽  
Chit Poh

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) commonly produces herpangina, but fatal neurological complications have been observed in children. Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackievirus 16 (CV-A16) are the predominant viruses causing HFMD worldwide. With rising concern about HFMD outbreaks, there is a need for an effective vaccine against EV-A71 and CV-A16. Although an inactivated vaccine has been developed against EV-A71 in China, the inability of the inactivated vaccine to confer protection against CV-A16 infection and other HFMD etiological agents, such as CV-A6 and CV-A10, necessitates the exploration of other vaccine platforms. Thus, the antigenic peptide-based vaccines are promising platforms to develop safe and efficacious multivalent vaccines, while the monoclonal antibodies are viable therapeutic and prophylactic agents against HFMD etiological agents. This article reviews the available information related to the antigenic peptides of the etiological agents of HFMD and their neutralizing antibodies that can provide a basis for the design of future therapies against HFMD etiological agents.


2004 ◽  
Vol 200 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley T. Messmer ◽  
Emilia Albesiano ◽  
Dimitar G. Efremov ◽  
Fabio Ghiotto ◽  
Steven L. Allen ◽  
...  

Previous studies suggest that the diversity of the expressed variable (V) region repertoire of the immunoglobulin (Ig)H chain of B-CLL cells is restricted. Although limited examples of marked constraint in the primary structure of the H and L chain V regions exist, the possibility that this level of restriction is a general principle in this disease has not been accepted. This report describes five sets of patients, mostly with unmutated or minimally mutated IgV genes, with strikingly similar B cell antigen receptors (BCRs) arising from the use of common H and L chain V region gene segments that share CDR3 structural features such as length, amino acid composition, and unique amino acid residues at recombination junctions. Thus, a much more striking degree of structural restriction of the entire BCR and a much higher frequency of receptor sharing exists among patients than appreciated previously. The data imply that either a significant fraction of B-CLL cells was selected by a limited set of antigenic epitopes at some point in their development and/or that they derive from a distinct B cell subpopulation with limited Ig V region diversity. These shared, stereotyped Ig molecules may be valuable probes for antigen identification and important targets for cross-reactive idiotypic therapy.


2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 213-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bruce Sundstrom ◽  
Kimberley C. Jollow ◽  
Veronique Braud ◽  
Francois Villinger ◽  
Andrew J. McMichael ◽  
...  

In this investigation we have explored the relationship between the weak allogenicity of cardiac myocytes and their capacity to present allo-antigens by examining the ability of a human cardiac myocyte cell line (W-1) to process and present nominal antigens. W-1 cells (HLA-A*0201 and HLA-DR β1*0301) pulsed with the influenza A matrix 1 (58-66) peptide (M1) were able to serve as targets for the HLA-A*0201 restricted CTL line PG, specific for M1-peptide. However, PG-CTLs were unable to lyse W-1 target cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the M1 protein (M1-VAC). Pretreatment of these M1-VAC targets with IFN-γ partially restored their ability to process and present the M1 peptide. However, parallel studies demonstrated that IFN-γ pretreated W-1's could not process tetanus toxin (TT) or present the TT(830-843) peptide to HLA-DR3 restricted TT-primed T cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR measurements revealed significantly lower constitutive levels of expression for MHC class I, TAP-1/2, and LMP-2/7 genes in W-1s that could be elevated by pretreatment with IFN-γ to values equal to or greater than those expressed in EBV-PBLs. However, mRNA levels for the genes encoding MHC class II, Ii, CIITA, and DMA/B were markedly lower in both untreated and IFN-γ pretreated W-1s relative to EBV-PBLs. Furthermore, pulse-chase analysis of the corresponding genes revealed significantly lower protein levels and longer half-life expression in W-1s relative to EBV-PBLs. These results suggest that weak allogenicity of cardiac myocytes may be governed by their limited expression of MHC genes and gene products critical for antigen processing and presentation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 430 (10) ◽  
pp. 1521-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuglae Kim ◽  
Jeong Seok Cha ◽  
Yong-Soon Cho ◽  
Hoyoung Kim ◽  
Nienping Chang ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
E. A. Flerova

At present, special attention is drawn to the study of the adaptation of aquatic organisms to a complex of environmental factors precisely at the cellular level. It is very important to study the structural and functional features of the kidney, which not only plays a key role in osmoregulation, but also makes a significant contribution to maintaining homeostasis at the level of functioning of a single nonspecific defense system of the body. In this aspect, the study of species belonging to a unique ancient group, united in the order salmoniformes, is highly relevant. Using the methods of light and electron microscopy, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of the mesonephros of the population of the semianadromous ecological form European smelt Osmerus eperlanus inhabiting the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea and performing spawning migrations in the Luga River of the Leningrad Region. The general scheme of the trunk kidney organization is given, the structural features and the ratio of leukocytes and structures of the smelt nephron are revealed. It is shown that the development of hematopoietic tissue in the mesonephros, the number of mature forms of granulocytes are systematic signs which do not depend on the ecology of the species. The ratio of leukocytes, the width of the cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of plasma cells, the structure and number of granules in granulocytes are associated with the peculiarities of the functioning of the cellular link of the immune system under certain conditions of the species habitat. The ultrafine structure of the ion-transporting interstitial cells, as well as the ultrastructural features found in the smelt nephron, can be considered cytological markers of smelt adaptation to a semianadromous lifestyle.


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