Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The nonclassical MHC class I molecule Qa-1 forms unstable peptide complexes.

Taku Kambayashi1, Jennifer R Kraft-Leavy, Joseph G Dauner

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|January 22, 2004
PubMed
Summary

The mouse MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1 rapidly releases its dominant peptide Qdm, unlike other MHC class I molecules. This instability allows CD94/NKG2A+ NK cells to detect disruptions in MHC class I peptide loading.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A patient-derived CABIN1 mutation recapitulates features of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease in a mouse model.

Blood advances·2025
Same author

Striatal GluN2A gene suppression reduces L-DOPA-induced abnormal involuntary movements in parkinsonian rats.

Neuropharmacology·2025
Same author

Thermostable lamprey variable lymphocyte receptor antibody for detection of Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein-2.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

A lack of commensal microbiota influences the male reproductive tract intergenerationally in mice.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)·2025
Same author

Acetyl-CoA synthesis in the skin is a key determinant of systemic lipid homeostasis.

Cell reports·2025
Same author

Novel Combination Treatment for Melanoma: FLASH Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy Delivered by a Radiopaque and Radiation Responsive Hydrogel.

Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society·2024

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1 interacts with CD94/NKG2A inhibitory receptors on NK cells and presents antigens to T cells.
  • CD94/NKG2A receptors recognize Qa-1 when it is bound to the Qdm peptide, derived from the MHC class Ia leader sequence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the stability of Qa-1/peptide complexes and their implications for immune recognition.
  • To understand the role of Qa-1's peptide binding dynamics in the context of NK cell inhibition and antigen presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Peptide dissociation experiments were performed on soluble and cell surface Qa-1(b) molecules.
  • Comparison of dissociation rates between Qa-1(b)/Qdm complexes and H-2K(b)/SIINFEKL complexes.
  • Assessment of Qa-1(b) molecule stability independent of bound peptides.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Evaluation of cellular susceptibility to NK cell lysis under conditions of impaired Qa-1/Qdm complex generation.

    • Main Results:

    • Qdm dissociates rapidly from Qa-1(b) (t(1/2) ~1.5 h) compared to SIINFEKL from H-2K(b) (t(1/2) 11-31 h).
    • Qa-1(b) stability on the cell surface is peptide-independent, suggesting stable empty Qa-1(b) molecules.
    • Cells become vulnerable to CD94/NKG2A+ NK cell lysis when Qa-1(b)/Qdm complex formation is inhibited.

    Conclusions:

    • Qa-1 is a specialized MHC molecule with inherently unstable peptide complexes.
    • The CD94/NKG2A-Qa-1/Qdm system acts as a rapid sensor for the integrity of MHC class I biosynthesis and antigen presentation pathways.