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. 1993 Dec 1;178(6):1971–1980. doi: 10.1084/jem.178.6.1971

Folding and assembly of major histocompatibility complex class I heterodimers in the endoplasmic reticulum of intact cells precedes the binding of peptide

PMCID: PMC2191294  PMID: 8245776

Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are heterotrimers consisting of a polymorphic H chain, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) and peptide. Peptides are thought to associate early during biosynthesis but the order of assembly of class I molecules from their component subunits in intact cells is not settled. We have studied the assembly of MHC class I molecules in intact cells with or without peptide transporters. MHC class I H chain/beta 2m heterodimers can be efficiently recovered only 4 min after translation and are preceded by a folding intermediate. Approximately 2 min after their formation, the class I heterodimers are loaded with peptides resulting in stable class I heterotrimers. In these in vivo studies, no evidence was obtained that peptide binding to the H chain preceded the association with beta 2m. In contrast, nonassembled class I H chains could be recovered immediately after translation, but this pool did not participate in the formation of class I molecules.

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Selected References

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