2nw2

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Plasticity of the T cell receptor (TCR) is a hallmark of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cell recognition. However, it is unclear whether interactions of TCR and peptide-MHC class I (pMHCI) always conform to this paradigm. Here we describe the structure of a TCR, ELS4, in its non-ligand-bound form and in complex with a prominent 'bulged' Epstein-Barr virus peptide bound to HLA-B(*)3501. This complex was atypical of previously characterized TCR-pMHCI interactions in that a rigid face of the TCR crumpled the bulged antigenic determinant. This peptide 'bulldozing' created a more featureless pMHCI determinant, allowing the TCR to maximize MHC class I contacts essential for MHC class I restriction of TCR recognition. Our findings represent a mechanism of antigen recognition whereby the plasticity of the T cell response is dictated mainly by adjustments in the MHC-bound peptide.

A T cell receptor flattens a bulged antigenic peptide presented by a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.,Tynan FE, Reid HH, Kjer-Nielsen L, Miles JJ, Wilce MC, Kostenko L, Borg NA, Williamson NA, Beddoe T, Purcell AW, Burrows SR, McCluskey J, Rossjohn J Nat Immunol. 2007 Mar;8(3):268-76. Epub 2007 Jan 28. PMID:17259989^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.