Presentation of antigens by MHC class II molecules: getting the most out of them.

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Villadangos JA

Presentation of antigens by MHC class II molecules: getting the most out of them.

Mol Immunol. 2001 Sep;38(5):329-46.

PubMed ID
11684289 [ View in PubMed
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Abstract

The function of MHC class II molecules is to bind peptides derived from antigens that access the endocytic route of antigen presenting cells and display them on the plasma membrane for recognition by CD4(+) T cells. Formation of the MHC II-peptide complexes entails the confluence of the antigens and the MHC II molecules in the same compartments of the endocytic route. There, both the antigens and the MHC II molecules undergo a series of orchestrated changes that involve proteases, other hydrolases and chaperones, culminating in the generation of a wide repertoire of MHC II-peptide combinations. All the events that lead to formation of MHC II-peptide complexes show a considerable degree of flexibility; this lack of strict rules is advantageous in that it provides T cells with the maximum amount of information, ensuring that pathogens do not go undetected.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Polypeptides
NameUniProt ID
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DQ alpha 2 chainP01906Details
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DQ beta 1 chainP01920Details
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DR alpha chainP01903Details
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DRB1-15 beta chainP01911Details
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DR beta 3 chainP79483Details
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DR beta 4 chainP13762Details
HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DR beta 5 chainQ30154Details