Major histocompatibility complex

Function

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are part of the cell immune system. MHC molecules display antigens on the host cell’s surface. T cell or natural killer receptors recognize the MHC:peptide and activate the immune response.

MHC class I (Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I) are found in all nucleated cells. These cell surface proteins display peptides from cellular intrinsic proteins^[1]. For more details see
Effect of HCMV on Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I
MR1 Binds Vitamin Metabolites.
MHC class II are found in professional antigen-presenting cells like macrophages. These cell surface proteins display peptides from cellular extrinsic proteins^[2].

Structural highlights

The peptide derived from Hepatitis virus binds MHC in a peptide-recognition groove and makes various interactions with side chains and with water molecules^[3].

Human MHC class I antigen (grey, yellow) with β 2-microglobulin (green, magenta) and peptide from pre-core-protein (pink, cyan) 3ox8

Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate

3D structures of MHC3D structures of MHC

Updated on 14-April-2016

ReferencesReferences

↑ Raghavan M, Del Cid N, Rizvi SM, Peters LR. MHC class I assembly: out and about. Trends Immunol. 2008 Sep;29(9):436-43. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2008.06.004. PMID:18675588 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2008.06.004
↑ Holling TM, Schooten E, van Den Elsen PJ. Function and regulation of MHC class II molecules in T-lymphocytes: of mice and men. Hum Immunol. 2004 Apr;65(4):282-90. PMID:15120183 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2004.01.005
↑ Liu J, Chen KY, Ren EC. Structural insights into the binding of hepatitis B virus core peptide to HLA-A2 alleles: Towards designing better vaccines. Eur J Immunol. 2011 Jul;41(7):2097-106. doi: 10.1002/eji.201041370. PMID:21538979 doi:10.1002/eji.201041370

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[1] Raghavan M, Del Cid N, Rizvi SM, Peters LR. MHC class I assembly: out and about. Trends Immunol. 2008 Sep;29(9):436-43. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2008.06.004. PMID:18675588 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2008.06.004

[2] Holling TM, Schooten E, van Den Elsen PJ. Function and regulation of MHC class II molecules in T-lymphocytes: of mice and men. Hum Immunol. 2004 Apr;65(4):282-90. PMID:15120183 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2004.01.005

[3] Liu J, Chen KY, Ren EC. Structural insights into the binding of hepatitis B virus core peptide to HLA-A2 alleles: Towards designing better vaccines. Eur J Immunol. 2011 Jul;41(7):2097-106. doi: 10.1002/eji.201041370. PMID:21538979 doi:10.1002/eji.201041370

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