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. 1995 Feb 14;92(4):1218–1221. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.4.1218

The three-dimensional structure of a class I major histocompatibility complex molecule missing the alpha 3 domain of the heavy chain.

E J Collins 1, D N Garboczi 1, M N Karpusas 1, D C Wiley 1
PMCID: PMC42670  PMID: 7862664

Abstract

Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are ternary complexes of the soluble serum protein beta 2-microglobulin, MHC heavy chain, and bound peptide. The first two domains (alpha 1, alpha 2) of the heavy chain create the peptide binding cleft and the surface that contacts the T-cell receptor. The third domain (alpha 3) associates with the T-cell co-receptor, CD8, during T-cell recognition. Here we describe the x-ray crystal structure of a human class I MHC molecule, HLA-Aw68, from which the alpha 3 domain has been proteolytically removed. The resulting molecule shows no gross morphological changes compared to the intact protein. A decameric peptide complexed with the intact HLA-Aw68 is seen to bind to the proteolized molecule in the conventional manner, demonstrating that the alpha 3 domain is not required for the structural integrity of the molecule or for peptide binding.

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Selected References

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