Effect of a tapasin mutant on the assembly of the mouse MHC class I molecule H2-K(d)

The mode of action of tapasin on major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) molecules

Tapasin (Tsn) plays a critical role in antigen processing and presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. The mechanism of Tsn-mediated peptide loading and exchange hinges on the conformational dynamics governing the interaction of Tsn and MHC-I with recent structural and functional studies pinpointing the critical sites of direct or allosteric regulation. In this review, we highlight these recent findings and relate them to the extensive molecular and cellular data that are available for these evolutionary interdependent proteins. Furthermore, allotypic differences of MHC-I with regard to the editing and chaperoning function of Tsn are reviewed and related to the mechanistic observations. Finally, evolutionary aspects of the mode of action of Tsn will be discussed, a short comparison with the Tsn-related molecule TAPBPR (Tsn-related protein) will be given, and the impact of Tsn on noncanonical MHC-I molecules will be described.

Crystal structure of a TAPBPR-MHC I complex reveals the mechanism of peptide editing in antigen presentation

Central to CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity is the recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I (p-MHC I) proteins displayed by antigen-presenting cells. Chaperone-mediated loading of high-affinity peptides onto MHC I is a key step in the MHC I antigen presentation pathway. However, the structure of MHC I with a chaperone that facilitates peptide loading has not been determined. We report the crystal structure of MHC I in complex with the peptide editor TAPBPR (TAP-binding protein-related), a tapasin homolog. TAPBPR remodels the peptide-binding groove of MHC I, resulting in the release of low-affinity peptide. Changes include groove relaxation, modifications of key binding pockets, and domain adjustments. This structure captures a peptide-receptive state of MHC I and provides insights into the mechanism of peptide editing by TAPBPR and, by analogy, tapasin.

Impact of beta 2-microglobulin on tapasin expression and covalent association

Cellular immunity is dependent on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules enabling cytotoxic T cell recognition of malignant and infected cells. Loading of antigenic peptides onto MHC class I is assisted by a peptide-loading protein complex including tapasin. We found that tapasin expression is enhanced by beta 2-microglobulin via both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. In addition, using conditions which preserve the tapasin-ERp57 disulfide-bonded conjugate, we demonstrated that beta 2-microglobulin increases tapasin-containing protein complexes, and reduces the level of MHC class I/ERp57 complexes lacking tapasin. Overall, our results provide a new perspective on the regulation of tapasin expression and association.

Analysis of major histocompatibility complex class I folding: novel insights into intermediate forms

Folding around a peptide ligand is integral to the antigen presentation function of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Several lines of evidence indicate that the broadly cross-reactive 34-1-2 antibody is sensitive to folding of the MHC class I peptide-binding groove. Here, we show that peptide-loading complex proteins associated with the murine MHC class I molecule K(d) are found primarily in association with the 34-1-2(+) form. This led us to hypothesize that the 34-1-2 antibody may recognize intermediately, as well as fully, folded MHC class I molecules. To further characterize the form(s) of MHC class I molecules recognized by 34-1-2, we took advantage of its cross-reactivity with L(d) . Recognition of the open and folded forms of L(d) by the 64-3-7 and 30-5-7 antibodies, respectively, has been extensively characterized, providing us with parameters against which to compare 34-1-2 reactivity. We found that the 34-1-2(+) L(d) molecules displayed characteristics indicative of incomplete folding, including increased tapasin association, endoplasmic reticulum retention, and instability at the cell surface. Moreover, we show that an L(d) -specific peptide induced folding of the 34-1-2(+) L(d) intermediate. Altogether, these results yield novel insights into the nature of MHC class I molecules recognized by the 34-1-2 antibody.

Molecular cloning and characterization of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) Tapasin

Mammalian tapasin (TPN) is a key member of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation pathway, being part of the multi-protein complex called the peptide loading complex (PLC). Several studies describe its important roles in stabilizing empty MHC class I complexes, facilitating peptide loading and editing the repertoire of bound peptides, with impact on CD8(+) T cell immune responses. In this work, the gene and cDNA of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) glycoprotein TPN have been isolated and characterized. The coding sequence has a 1329 bp ORF encoding a 442-residue precursor protein with a predicted 24-amino acid leader peptide, generating a 418-amino acid mature form that retains a conserved N-glycosylation site, three conserved mammalian tapasin motifs, two Ig superfamily domains, a transmembrane domain and an ER-retention di-lysine motif at the C-terminus, suggestive of a function similar to mammalian tapasins. Similar to the human counterpart, the sea bass TPN gene comprises 8 exons, some of which correspond to separate functional domains of the protein. A three-dimensional homology model of sea bass tapasin was calculated and is consistent with the structural features described for the human molecule. Together, these results support the concept that the basic structure of TPN has been maintained through evolution. Moreover, the present data provides information that will allow further studies on cell-mediated immunity and class I antigen presentation pathway in particular, in this important fish species.

Productive association between MHC class I and tapasin requires the tapasin transmembrane/cytosolic region and the tapasin C-terminal Ig-like domain

The current model of antigen assembly with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules posits that interactions between the tapasin N-terminal immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain and the MHC class I peptide-binding groove permit tapasin to regulate antigen selection. Much less is known regarding interactions that might involve the tapasin C-terminal Ig-like domain. Additionally, the tapasin transmembrane/cytoplasmic region enables tapasin to bridge the MHC class I molecule to the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). In this investigation, we made use of two tapasin mutants to determine the relative contribution of the tapasin C-terminal Ig-like domain and the tapasin transmembrane/cytoplasmic region to the assembly of MHC class I molecules. Deletion of a loop within the tapasin C-terminal Ig-like domain (Δ334-342) prevented tapasin association with the MHC class I molecule K(d). Although tapasin Δ334-342 did not increase the efficiency of K(d) folding, K(d) surface expression was enhanced on cells expressing this mutant relative to tapasin-deficient cells. In contrast to tapasin Δ334-342, a soluble tapasin mutant lacking the transmembrane/cytoplasmic region retained the ability to bind to K(d) molecules, but did not facilitate K(d) surface expression. Furthermore, when soluble tapasin and tapasin Δ334-342 were co-expressed, soluble tapasin had a dominant negative effect on the folding and surface expression of not only K(d), but also D(b) and K(b). In addition, our molecular modeling of the MHC class I-tapasin interface revealed novel potential interactions involving tapasin residues 334-342. Together, these findings demonstrate that the tapasin C-terminal and transmembrane/cytoplasmic regions are critical to tapasin's capacity to associate effectively with the MHC class I molecule.

Distinct functions for the glycans of tapasin and heavy chains in the assembly of MHC class I molecules

Complexes of specific assembly factors and generic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, collectively called the MHC class I peptide-loading complex (PLC), function in the folding and assembly of MHC class I molecules. The glycan-binding chaperone calreticulin (CRT) and partner oxidoreductase ERp57 are important in MHC class I assembly, but the sequence of assembly events and specific interactions involved remain incompletely understood. We show that the recruitments of CRT and ERp57 to the PLC are codependent and also dependent upon the ERp57 binding site and the glycan of the assembly factor tapasin. Furthermore, the ERp57 binding site and the glycan of tapasin enhance β(2)m and MHC class I heavy (H) chain recruitment to the PLC, with the ERp57 binding site having the dominant effect. In contrast, the conserved MHC class I H chain glycan played a minor role in CRT recruitment into the PLC, but impacted the recruitment of H chains into the PLC, and glycan-deficient H chains were impaired for tapasin-independent and tapasin-assisted assembly. The conserved MHC class I glycan and tapasin facilitated an early step in the assembly of H chain-β(2)m heterodimers, for which tapasin-ERp57 or tapasin-CRT complexes were not required. Together, these studies provide insights into how PLCs are constructed, demonstrate two distinct mechanisms by which PLCs can be stabilized, and suggest the presence of intermediate H chain-deficient PLCs.