Unique biochemical properties of a mutant MHC class I molecule, H-2Ksm1

This study describes serological and biochemical properties of a novel MHC class I molecule. The mutant H-2Ksm1 molecule was discovered in a mouse because of loss of reactivity of its peripheral blood lymphocytes to monoclonal antibodies. This mutation in the H-2Ks molecule is the first in vivo mutation described that has altered an amino acid residue (amino acid 107) distant from the regions generally considered to be peptide or TCR contacts. Cell surface expression of the mutant molecules remains high but the Arg107 to Trp substitution appears to alter the native protein conformation, markedly decreasing cell surface association with beta 2-microglobulin light chains and conferring a loss of recognition by Ks specific antibodies.