TY - JOUR
T1 - Superantigens interact with MHC class II molecules outside of the antigen groove
AU - Dellabona, Paolo
AU - Peccoud, Jean
AU - Kappler, John
AU - Marrack, Philippa
AU - Benoist, Christophe
AU - Mathis, Diane
PY - 1990/9/21
Y1 - 1990/9/21
N2 - Superantigens, including the staphylococcal enterotoxins and the minor lymphocyte stimulatory antigens, are highly potent immunostimulatory molecules, capable of activating virtually all T cells that express particular T cell receptor (TCR) variable regions. Superantigen stimulation of T lymphocytes depends on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, so there has been some debate as to whether superantigens interact with the antigen binding "groove" on class II complexes, just like conventional peptide antigens, or whether they bind elsewhere and serve as TCR coligands. We compared the presentation of peptide antigens and superantigens by a panel of mutant-presenting cell lines, each displaying an Ak
α chain with a single alanine replacement along the α helix proposed to form one face of the groove. The negligible effect of these 30 mutations on superantigen presentation, versus their drastic consequences for peptide presentation, prompts us to conclude that superantigens interact with MHC class II molecules outside the groove.
AB - Superantigens, including the staphylococcal enterotoxins and the minor lymphocyte stimulatory antigens, are highly potent immunostimulatory molecules, capable of activating virtually all T cells that express particular T cell receptor (TCR) variable regions. Superantigen stimulation of T lymphocytes depends on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, so there has been some debate as to whether superantigens interact with the antigen binding "groove" on class II complexes, just like conventional peptide antigens, or whether they bind elsewhere and serve as TCR coligands. We compared the presentation of peptide antigens and superantigens by a panel of mutant-presenting cell lines, each displaying an Ak
α chain with a single alanine replacement along the α helix proposed to form one face of the groove. The negligible effect of these 30 mutations on superantigen presentation, versus their drastic consequences for peptide presentation, prompts us to conclude that superantigens interact with MHC class II molecules outside the groove.
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U2 - 10.1016/0092-8674(90)90388-U
DO - 10.1016/0092-8674(90)90388-U
M3 - Article
C2 - 2401011
AN - SCOPUS:0025018298
VL - 62
SP - 1115
EP - 1121
JO - Cell
JF - Cell
SN - 0092-8674
IS - 6
ER -