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Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
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Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin

Published on: March 10, 2021

MHC class I-like MILL molecules are beta2-microglobulin-associated, GPI-anchored glycoproteins that do not require

Mizuho Kajikawa1, Tomohisa Baba, Utano Tomaru

  • 1Department of Biosystems Science, School of Advanced Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Japan.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|August 22, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The mouse MILL family, including MILL1 and MILL2, are MHC class I-like molecules. These molecules are GPI-anchored glycoproteins not involved in peptide presentation, distinct from MICA/B.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MILL (MHC class I-like located near the leukocyte receptor complex) is a family of MHC class I-like molecules.
  • MILL family members show high sequence similarity to human MICA/B molecules.
  • MILL genes are encoded outside the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the biochemical properties and cellular expression of mouse MILL1 and MILL2.
  • To determine the role of MILL1 and MILL2 in peptide presentation.
  • To provide evidence for MILL as a distinct class I family.

Main Methods:

  • Biochemical analysis of MILL1 and MILL2.
  • Cell surface expression studies, including TAP-deficient cells.
  • Bacterial expression and refolding of MILL1 and MILL2.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis of MILL1 expression.

Main Results:

  • MILL1 and MILL2 are GPI-anchored glycoproteins associated with beta2-microglobulin (beta2m).
  • Cell surface expression of MILL1/MILL2 does not require functional TAP molecules.
  • Refolded MILL1/MILL2 molecules do not require peptides, indicating no peptide presentation role.
  • MILL1 is expressed in thymic medullary epithelial cells and hair follicle inner root sheaths.

Conclusions:

  • MILL1 and MILL2 are distinct MHC class I-like molecules.
  • The MILL family is not involved in peptide presentation.
  • MILL represents a class I family separate from MICA/B.

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