Regulation of CD1 antigen-presenting complex stability

J Biol Chem. 2010 Apr 16;285(16):11937-47. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.077933. Epub 2010 Feb 4.

Abstract

For major histocompatibility complex class I and II molecules, the binding of specific peptide antigens is essential for assembly and trafficking and is at the center of their quality control mechanism. However, the role of lipid antigen binding in stabilization and quality control of CD1 heavy chain (HC).beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) complexes is unclear. Furthermore, the distinct trafficking and loading routes of CD1 proteins take them from mildly acidic pH in early endososmal compartments (pH 6.0) to markedly acidic pH in lysosomes (pH 5.0) and back to neutral pH of the cell surface (pH 7.4). Here, we present evidence that the stability of each CD1 HC.beta(2)m complex is determined by the distinct pH optima identical to that of the intracellular compartments in which each CD1 isoform resides. Although stable at acidic endosomal pH, complexes are only stable at cell surface pH 7.4 when bound to specific lipid antigens. The proposed model outlines a quality control program that allows lipid exchange at low endosomal pH without dissociation of the CD1 HC.beta(2)m complex and then stabilizes the antigen-loaded complex at neutral pH at the cell surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigens, CD1 / chemistry
  • Antigens, CD1 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD1 / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / immunology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Endosomes / immunology
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / chemistry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / chemistry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lysosomes / immunology
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Stability
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / chemistry
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • beta 2-Microglobulin