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Human major histocompatibility complex class II invariant chain is expressed on the cell surface
C J Wraight1, P van Endert, P Möller
1Institute of Immunology and Genetics, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|April 5, 1990
Summary
The invariant chain, a protein associated with Class II major histocompatibility complex antigens, is present on the cell surface. This finding resolves a long-standing debate regarding the invariant chain's role as a plasma membrane protein.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens associate with the invariant chain intracellularly.
- The invariant chain's presence on the plasma membrane has been debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the invariant chain appears on the cell surface.
- To characterize the location of invariant chain determinants on the cell surface.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three monoclonal antibodies targeting extracytoplasmic determinants of the invariant chain.
- Detected invariant chain presence on intact cells using these antibodies.
- Estimated the number of antibody binding sites on B lymphoma cell lines.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the presence of invariant chain on the surface of intact cells.
- Identified extracytoplasmic determinants within the C-terminal 60 amino acids of the invariant chain.
- Quantified approximately 10^5 invariant chain binding sites per cell on B lymphoma lines.
Conclusions:
- The invariant chain can indeed be found as a plasma membrane protein.
- Results suggest a potential role for the invariant chain in antigen processing and presentation.