Use of chimeric proteins to investigate the role of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) structural domains in peptide binding and translocation

The immune-related role of beta-2-microglobulin in melanoma

Despite the remarkable success of immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma, resistance to these agents still affects patient prognosis and response to therapies. Beta-2-microglobulin (β2M), an important subunit of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, has important biological functions and roles in tumor immunity. In recent years, increasing studies have shown that B2M gene deficiency can inhibit MHC class I antigen presentation and lead to cancer immune evasion by affecting β2M expression. Based on this, B2M gene defect and T cell-based immunotherapy can interact to affect the efficacy of melanoma treatment. Taking into account the many recent advances in B2M-related melanoma immunity, here we discuss the immune function of the B2M gene in tumors, its common genetic alteration in melanoma, and its impact on and related improvements in melanoma immunotherapy. Our comprehensive review of β2M biology and its role in tumor immunotherapy contributes to understanding the potential of B2M gene as a promising melanoma therapeutic target.

Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen System as A Predictive Biomarker for Checkpoint-Based Immunotherapy in Cancer Patients

Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have clearly shown that checkpoint-based immunotherapy is effective in a small subgroup of cancer patients. However, no effective predictive biomarker has been identified so far. The major histocompatibility complex, better known in humans as human leukocyte antigen (HLA), is a very polymorphic gene complex consisting of more than 200 genes. It has a crucial role in activating an appropriate host immune response against pathogens and tumor cells by discriminating self and non-self peptides. Several lines of evidence have shown that down-regulation of expression of HLA class I antigen derived peptide complexes by cancer cells is a mechanism of tumor immune escape and is often associated to poor prognosis in cancer patients. In addition, it has also been shown that HLA class I and II antigen expression, as well as defects in the antigen processing machinery complex, may predict tumor responses in cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the role of HLA in predicting tumor responses to checkpoint-based immunotherapy is still debated. In this review, firstly, we will describe the structure and function of the HLA system. Secondly, we will summarize the HLA defects and their clinical significance in cancer patients. Thirdly, we will review the potential role of the HLA as a predictive biomarker for checkpoint-based immunotherapy in cancer patients. Lastly, we will discuss the potential strategies that may restore HLA function to implement novel therapeutic strategies in cancer patients.

Immunological and clinical significance of HLA class I antigen processing machinery component defects in malignant cells

Experimental as well as clinical studies demonstrate that the immune system plays a major role in controlling generation and progression of tumors. The cancer immunoediting theory supports the notion that tumor cell immunogenicity is dynamically shaped by the immune system, as it eliminates immunogenic tumor cells in the early stage of the disease and then edits their antigenicity. The end result is the generation of a tumor cell population able to escape from immune recognition and elimination by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Two major mechanisms, which affect the target cells and the effector phase of the immune response, play a crucial role in the editing process. One is represented by the downregulation of tumor antigen (TA) processing and presentation because of abnormalities in the HLA class I antigen processing machinery (APM). The other one is represented by the anergy of effector immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment caused by aberrant inhibitory signals triggered by immune checkpoint receptor (ICR) ligands, such as programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). In this review, we will focus on tumor immune escape mechanisms caused by defects in HLA class I APM component expression and/or function in different types of cancer, with emphasis on head and neck cancer (HNC). We will also discuss the immunological implications and clinical relevance of these HLA class I APM abnormalities. Finally, we will describe strategies to counteract defective TA presentation with the expectation that they will enhance tumor recognition and elimination by tumor infiltrating effector T cells.

Human-Mouse Chimeras with Normal Expression and Function Reveal That Major Domain Swapping Is Tolerated by P-Glycoprotein (ABCB1)

The efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays a vital role in the transport of molecules across cell membranes and has been shown to interact with a panoply of functionally and structurally unrelated compounds. How human P-gp interacts with this large number of drugs has not been well understood, although structural flexibility has been implicated. To gain insight into this transporter's broad substrate specificity and to assess its ability to accommodate a variety of molecular and structural changes, we generated human-mouse P-gp chimeras by the exchange of homologous transmembrane and nucleotide-binding domains. High-level expression of these chimeras by BacMam- and baculovirus-mediated transduction in mammalian (HeLa) and insect cells, respectively, was achieved. There were no detectable differences between wild-type and chimeric P-gp in terms of cell surface expression, ability to efflux the P-gp substrates rhodamine 123, calcein-AM, and JC-1, or to be inhibited by the substrate cyclosporine A and the inhibitors tariquidar and elacridar. Additionally, expression of chimeric P-gp was able to confer a paclitaxel-resistant phenotype to HeLa cells characteristic of P-gp-mediated drug resistance. P-gp ATPase assays and photo-cross-linking with [(125)I]iodoarylazidoprazosin confirmed that transport and biochemical properties of P-gp chimeras were similar to those of wild-type P-gp, although differences in drug binding were detected when human and mouse transmembrane domains were combined. Overall, chimeras with one or two mouse P-gp domains were deemed functionally equivalent to human wild-type P-gp, demonstrating the ability of human P-gp to tolerate major structural changes.

Mechanistic determinants of the directionality and energetics of active export by a heterodimeric ABC transporter

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) participates in immune surveillance by moving proteasomal products into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen for major histocompatibility complex class I loading and cell surface presentation to cytotoxic T cells. Here we delineate the mechanistic basis for antigen translocation. Notably, TAP works as a molecular diode, translocating peptide substrates against the gradient in a strict unidirectional way. We reveal the importance of the D-loop at the dimer interface of the two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) in coupling substrate translocation with ATP hydrolysis and defining transport vectoriality. Substitution of the conserved aspartate, which coordinates the ATP-binding site, decreases NBD dimerization affinity and turns the unidirectional primary active pump into a passive bidirectional nucleotide-gated facilitator. Thus, ATP hydrolysis is not required for translocation per se, but is essential for both active and unidirectional transport. Our data provide detailed mechanistic insight into how heterodimeric ABC exporters operate.

MHC class I antigen processing and presenting machinery: organization, function, and defects in tumor cells

The surface presentation of peptides by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules is critical to all CD8(+) T-cell adaptive immune responses, including those against tumors. The generation of peptides and their loading on MHC class I molecules is a multistep process involving multiple molecular species that constitute the so-called antigen processing and presenting machinery (APM). The majority of class I peptides begin as proteasome degradation products of cytosolic proteins. Once transported into the endoplasmic reticulum by TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing), peptides are not bound randomly by class I molecules but are chosen by length and sequence, with peptidases editing the raw peptide pool. Aberrations in APM genes and proteins have frequently been observed in human tumors and found to correlate with relevant clinical variables, including tumor grade, tumor stage, disease recurrence, and survival. These findings support the idea that APM defects are immune escape mechanisms that disrupt the tumor cells' ability to be recognized and killed by tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells. Detailed knowledge of APM is crucial for the optimization of T cell-based immunotherapy protocols.

The TAP translocation machinery in adaptive immunity and viral escape mechanisms

The adaptive immune system plays an essential role in protecting vertebrates against a broad range of pathogens and cancer. The MHC class I-dependent pathway of antigen presentation represents a sophisticated cellular machinery to recognize and eliminate infected or malignantly transformed cells, taking advantage of the proteasomal turnover of the cell's proteome. TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing) 1/2 (ABCB2/3, where ABC is ATP-binding cassette) is the principal component in the recognition, translocation, chaperoning, editing and final loading of antigenic peptides on to MHC I complexes in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) lumen. These different tasks are co-ordinated within a dynamic macromolecular peptide-loading complex consisting of TAP1/2 and various auxiliary factors, such as the adapter protein tapasin, the oxidoreductase ERp57, the lectin chaperone calreticulin, and the final peptide acceptor the MHC I heavy chain associated with β2-microglobulin. In this chapter, we summarize the structural organization and molecular mechanism of the antigen-translocation machinery as well as various modes of regulation by viral factors and in genetic diseases and tumour development.

Assembly and intracellular trafficking of HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*3503

Residue 116 of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I heavy chains is an important determinant of assembly, that can influence rates of ER-Golgi trafficking, binding to the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), tapasin dependence of assembly, and the efficiency and specificity of peptide binding. Here, we investigated assembly and peptide-binding differences between HLA-B*3501(S116) and HLA-B*3503(F116), two alleles differing only at position 116 of the MHC class I heavy chain, that are associated respectively with normal or rapid AIDS progression. A reduced intracellular maturation rate was observed for HLA-B*3503 in HIV-infected and uninfected cells, which correlated with enhanced binding of HLA-B*3503 to TAP. No significant differences in the intrinsic efficiency of in vitro peptide binding by HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*3503 were measurable with several common peptides or peptide libraries, and both allotypes were relatively tapasin-independent for their assembly. However, thermostability differences between the two allotypes were measurable in a CD4(+) T cell line. These findings suggest that compared to HLA-B*3501, a reduced intracellular peptide repertoire for HLA-B*3503 could contribute to its slower intracellular trafficking and stronger association with rapid AIDS progression.

Catalytic site modifications of TAP1 and TAP2 and their functional consequences

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), a member of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) family of transmembrane transporters, transports peptides across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane for assembly of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. Two subunits, TAP1 and TAP2, are required for peptide transport, and ATP hydrolysis by TAP1.TAP2 complexes is important for transport activity. Two nucleotide binding sites are present in TAP1.TAP2 complexes. Compared with other ABC transporters, the first nucleotide binding site contains non-consensus catalytic site residues, including Asp(668) in the Walker B region of TAP1 (in place of a highly conserved glutamic acid), and Gln(701) in the switch region of TAP1 (in place of a highly conserved histidine). At the second nucleotide binding site, a glutamic acid (TAP2 Glu(632)) follows the Walker B motif, and the switch region contains a histidine (TAP2 His(661)). We found that alterations at Glu(632) and His(661) of TAP2 significantly reduced peptide translocation and/or TAP-induced major histocompatibility complex class I surface expression. Alterations of TAP1 Asp(668) alone or in combination with TAP1 Gln(701) had only small effects on TAP activity. Thus, the naturally occurring Asp(668) and Gln(701) alterations of TAP1 are likely to contribute to attenuated catalytic activity at the first nucleotide binding site (the TAP1 site) of TAP complexes. Due to its enhanced catalytic activity, the second nucleotide binding site (the TAP2 site) appears to be the main site driving peptide transport. A mechanistic model involving one main active site is likely to apply to other ABC transporters that have an asymmetric distribution of catalytic site residues within the two nucleotide binding sites.

Engineering ATPase Activity in the Isolated ABC Cassette of Human TAP1

The human transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) translocates antigenic peptides from the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. The functional unit of TAP is a heterodimer composed of the TAP1 and TAP2 subunits, both of which are members of the ABC-transporter family. ABC-transporters are ATP-dependent pumps, channels, or receptors that are composed of four modules: two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) and two transmembrane domains (TMDs). Although the TMDs are rather divergent in sequence, the NBDs are conserved with respect to structure and function. Interestingly, the NBD of TAP1 contains mutations at amino acid positions that have been proposed to be essential for catalytic activity. Instead of a glutamate, proposed to act as a general base, TAP1 contains an aspartate and a glutamine instead of the conserved histidine, which has been suggested to act as the linchpin. We used this degeneration to evaluate the individual contribution of these two amino acids to the ATPase activity of the engineered TAP1-NBD mutants. Based on our results a catalytic hierarchy of these two fundamental amino acids in ATP hydrolysis of the mutated TAP1 motor domain was deduced.

Intracellular peptide transporters in human--compartmentalization of the "peptidome"

In the human genome, the five adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) half transporters ABCB2 (TAP1), ABCB3 (TAP2), ABCB9 (TAP-like), and in part, also ABCB8 and ABCB10 are closely related with regard to their structural and functional properties. Although targeted to different cellular compartments such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, and mitochondria, they are involved in intracellular peptide trafficking across membranes. The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1 and TAP2) constitute a key machinery in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-mediated cellular immune defense against infected or malignantly transformed cells. TAP translocates the cellular "peptidome" derived primarily from cytosolic proteasomal degradation into the ER lumen for presentation by MHC class I molecules. The homodimeric ABCB9 (TAP-like) complex located in lysosomal compartments shares structural and functional similarities to TAP; however, its biological role seems to be different from the MHC I antigen processing. ABCB8 and ABCB10 are targeted to the inner mitochondrial membrane. MDL1, the yeast homologue of ABCB10, is involved in the export of peptides derived from proteolysis of inner-membrane proteins into the intermembrane space. As such peptides are presented as minor histocompatibility antigens on the surface of mammalian cells, a physiological role of ABCB10 in the antigen processing can be accounted.

Physical and Functional Interactions of the Cytomegalovirus US6 Glycoprotein with the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing

The endoplasmic reticulum-resident human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein US6 (gpUS6) inhibits peptide translocation by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) to prevent loading of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules and antigen presentation to CD8+ T cells. TAP is formed by two subunits, TAP1 and TAP2, each containing one multispanning transmembrane domain (TMD) and a cytosolic nucleotide binding domain. Here we reported that the blockade of TAP by gpUS6 is species-restricted, i.e. gpUS6 inhibits human TAP but not rat TAP. Co-expression of human and rat subunits of TAP demonstrates independent binding of gpUS6 to human TAP1 and TAP2, whereas gpUS6 does not bind to rat TAP subunits. gpUS6 associates with preformed TAP1/2 heterodimers but not with unassembled TAP subunits. To locate domains of TAP required for gpUS6 binding and function, we took advantage of reciprocal human/rat intrachain TAP chimeras. Each TAP subunit forms two contact sites within its TMD interacting with gpUS6. The dominant gpUS6-binding site on TAP2 maps to an N-terminal loop, whereas inhibition of peptide transport is mediated by a C-terminal loop of the TMD. For TAP1, two gpUS6 binding domains are formed by loops of the C-terminal TMD. The domain required for TAP inactivation is built by a distal loop of the C-terminal TMD, indicating a topology of TAP1 comprising 10 endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane segments. By forming multimeric complexes, gpUS6 reaches the distant target domains to arrest peptide transport. The data revealed a nonanalogous multipolar bridging of the TAP TMDs by gpUS6.

MHC class I alleles and their exploration of the antigen-processing machinery

At the cell surface, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules present fragments of intracellular antigens to the immune system. This is the end result of a cascade of events initiated by multiple steps of proteolysis. Only a small part of the fragments escapes degradation by interacting with the peptide transporter associated with antigen presentation and is translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen for binding to MHC class I molecules. Subsequently, these newly formed complexes can be transported to the plasma membrane for presentation. Every step in this process confers specificity and determines the ultimate result: presentation of only few fragments from a given antigen. Here, we introduce the players in the antigen processing and presentation cascade and describe their specificity and allelic variation. We highlight MHC class I alleles, which are not only different in sequence but also use different aspects of the antigen presentation pathway to their advantage: peptide acquaintance.

Immunosuppressive mechanisms in the microenvironment of malignant pleural effusions

Malignant effusions in serous cavities constitute a unique milieu for direct contact of tumor cells with host lymphoid cells in a fluid phase. The aim of this study was to depict agents responsible for suppression of lymphoid cells with putative anti-tumor potential. Pleural effusions drawn from 44 (18 non-malignant and 26 malignant) patients were tested for selected cytokines--interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) and nuclear membrane proteins (NMPs) content by ELISA. TCR-zeta expression of T cells and TUNEL reaction for apoptosis were evaluated by three color flow cytometry. Both cytokine concentrations were found to be significantly elevated in malignant pleural effusions (MPE) as compared to non-malignant ones. It was also true for sFasL content. Moreover, NMPs corresponding to decoy cell fragments, were also heightened in MPE. Concentrations of NMPs correlated with the percent of apoptotic (TUNEL+) T CD3+ lymphocytes and inversely correlated with the percent of T cells. The low expression of TCR-zeta chain on T cells corresponded to high concentration of sFasL in MPE. In conclusion, the above data suggest that out of three suppression agents tested, only sFasL appears to show correlation with the downregulation of T cells in MPE.

Functional Role of C-Terminal Sequence Elements in the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing

TAP delivers antigenic peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that are subsequently bound by MHC class I molecules. TAP consists of two subunits (TAP1 and TAP2), each with a transmembrane (TMD) and a nucleotide-binding (NBD) domain. The two TAP-NBDs have distinct biochemical properties and control different steps during the peptide translocation process. We noted previously that the nonhomologous C-terminal tails of rat TAP1 and TAP2 determine the distinct functions of TAP-NBD1 and -NBD2. To identify the sequence elements responsible for the asymmetrical NBD function, we constructed chimeric rat TAP variants in which we systematically exchanged sequence regions of different length between the two TAP-NBDs. Our fine-mapping studies demonstrate that a nonhomologous region containing the alpha6/beta10-loop in conjunction with the downstream switch region is directly responsible for the functional separation of the TAP-NBDs. The alpha6/beta10-loop determines the nonsynonymous nucleotide binding of NBD1 and NBD2, whereas the switch region seems to play a critical role in regulating the functional cross-talk between the structural domains of TAP. Based on our findings, we postulate that these two sequence elements build a minimal functional unit that controls the asymmetry of the two TAP-NBDs.

How do ABC transporters drive transport?

Members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily are integral membrane proteins that hydrolyze ATP to drive transport. In the last two decades these proteins have been extensively characterized on a genetic and biochemical level, and in recent years high-resolution crystal structures of several nucleotide-binding domains and full-length transporters have extended our knowledge. Here we discuss the possible mechanisms of transport that have been derived from these crystal structures and the extensive available biochemical data.

Functional non-equivalence of ATP-binding cassette signature motifs in the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) is a key component of the cellular immune system. As a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily, TAP hydrolyzes ATP to energize the transport of peptides from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. TAP is composed of TAP1 and TAP2, each containing a transmembrane domain and a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD). Here we investigated the role of the ABC signature motif (C-loop) on the functional non-equivalence of the NBDs, which contain a canonical C-loop (LSGGQ) for TAP1 and a degenerate C-loop (LAAGQ) for TAP2. Mutation of the leucine or glycine (LSGGQ) in TAP1 fully abolished peptide transport. However, TAP complexes with equivalent mutations in TAP2 still showed residual peptide transport activity. To elucidate the origin of the asymmetry of the NBDs of TAP, we further examined TAP complexes with exchanged C-loops. Strikingly, the chimera with two canonical C-loops showed the highest transport rate whereas the chimera with two degenerate C-loops had the lowest transport rate, demonstrating that the ABC signature motifs control peptide transport efficiency. All single site mutants and chimeras showed similar activities in peptide or ATP binding, implying that these mutations affect the ATPase activity of TAP. In addition, these results prove that the serine of the C-loop is not essential for TAP function but rather coordinates, together with other residues of the C-loop, the ATP hydrolysis in both nucleotide-binding sites.

The ABCs of Immunology: Structure and Function of TAP, the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) is essential for peptide delivery from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where these peptides are loaded on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I molecules. Loaded MHC I leave the ER and display their antigenic cargo on the cell surface to cytotoxic T cells. Subsequently, virus-infected or malignantly transformed cells can be eliminated. Here we discuss the structure, function, and mechanism of TAP as a central part of the peptide-loading complex. Furthermore, aspects of virus and tumor escape strategies are presented.

The distinct nucleotide binding states of the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) are regulated by the nonhomologous C-terminal tails of TAP1 and TAP2

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) delivers peptides into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum for binding onto major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. TAP comprises two polypeptides, TAP1 and TAP2, each with an N-terminal transmembrane domain and a C-terminal cytosolic nucleotide binding domain (NBD). The two NBDs have distinct intrinsic nucleotide binding properties. In the resting state of TAP, the NBD1 has a much higher binding activity for ATP than the NBD2, while the binding of ADP to the two NBDs is equivalent. To attribute the different nucleotide binding behaviour of NBD1 and NBD2 to specific sequences, we generated chimeric TAP1 and TAP2 polypeptides in which either the nonhomologous C-terminal tails downstream of the Walker B motif, or the core NBDs which are enclosed by the conserved Walker A and B motifs, were reciprocally exchanged. Our biochemical and functional studies on the different TAP chimeras show that the distinct nucleotide binding behaviour of TAP1 and TAP2 is controlled by the nonhomologous C-terminal tails of the two TAP chains. In addition, our data suggest that the C-terminal tail of TAP2 is required for a functional transporter by regulating ATP binding. Further experiments indicate that ATP binding to NBD2 is important because it prevents simultaneous uptake of ATP by TAP1. We propose that the C-terminal tails of TAP1 and TAP2 play a crucial regulatory role in the coordination of nucleotide binding and ATP hydrolysis by TAP.

Peptides induce ATP hydrolysis at both subunits of the transporter associated with antigen processing

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) plays a key role in the adaptive immune response by pumping antigenic peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum for subsequent loading of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. TAP is a heterodimer consisting of TAP1 and TAP2. Each subunit is composed of a transmembrane domain and a nucleotide-binding domain, which energizes the peptide transport. To analyze ATP hydrolysis of each subunit we developed a method of trapping 8-azido-nucleotides to TAP in the presence of phosphate transition state analogs followed by photocross-linking, immunoprecipitation, and high resolution SDS-PAGE. Strikingly, trapping of both TAP subunits by beryllium fluoride is peptide-specific. The peptide concentration required for half-maximal trapping is identical for TAP1 and TAP2 and directly correlates with the peptide binding affinity. Only a background level of trapping was observed for low affinity peptides or in the presence of the herpes simplex viral protein ICP47, which specifically blocks peptide binding to TAP. Importantly, the peptide-induced trapped state is reached after ATP hydrolysis and not in a backward reaction of ADP binding and trapping. In the trapped state, TAP can neither bind nor exchange nucleotides, whereas peptide binding is not affected. In summary, these data support the model that peptide binding induces a conformation that triggers ATP hydrolysis in both subunits of the TAP complex within the catalytic cycle.

Nucleotide interactions with membrane-bound transporter associated with antigen processing proteins

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) contains two nucleotide-binding domains (NBD) in the TAP1 and TAP2 subunits. When expressed as individual subunits or domains, TAP1 and TAP2 NBD differ markedly in their nucleotide binding properties. We investigated whether the two nucleotide-binding sites of TAP1/TAP2 complexes also differed in their nucleotide binding properties. To facilitate electrophoretic separation of the subunits when in complex, we used TAP complexes in which one of the subunits was expressed as a fluorescent protein fusion construct. In binding experiments at 4 degrees C using the photo-cross-linkable nucleotide analogs 8-azido-[gamma-(32)P]ATP and 8-azido-[alpha-(32)P]ADP, TAP2 was found to have reduced affinity for nucleotides compared with TAP1, when the two proteins were separately expressed. Complex formation with TAP1 enhanced the binding affinity of the TAP2 nucleotide-binding site for both nucleotides. Binding analyses with mutant TAP complexes that are deficient in nucleotide binding at one or both sites provided evidence for the existence of two ATP-binding sites with relatively similar affinities in TAP1/TAP2 complexes. TAP1/TAP2 NBD interactions appear to contribute at least in part to enhanced nucleotide binding at the TAP2 site upon TAP1/TAP2 complex formation. Binding analyses with mutant TAP complexes also demonstrate that the extent of TAP1 labeling is dependent upon the presence of a functional TAP2 nucleotide-binding site.

Impaired transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) function attributable to a single amino acid alteration in the peptide TAP subunit TAP1

The heterodimeric peptide transporter TAP belongs to the ABC transporter family. Sequence comparisons with the P-glycoprotein and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and the functional properties of selective amino acids in these ABC transporters postulated that the glutamic acid at position 263 and the phenylalanine at position 265 of the TAP1 subunit could affect peptide transporter function. To define the role of both amino acids, TAP1 mutants containing a deletion or a substitution to alanine at position 263 or 265 were generated and stably expressed in murine and human TAP1(-/-) cells. The different TAP1 mutants were characterized in terms of expression and function of TAP, MHC class I surface expression, immune recognition, and species-specific differences. The phenotype of murine and human cells expressing human TAP1 mutants with a deletion or substitution of Glu(263) was comparable to that of TAP1(-/-) cells. In contrast, murine and human TAP1 mutant cells containing a deletion or mutation of Phe(265) of the TAP1 subunit exhibit wild-type TAP function. This was associated with high levels of MHC class I surface expression and recognition by specific CTL, which was comparable to that of wild-type TAP1-transfected control cells. Thus, biochemical and functional evidence is presented that the Glu(263) of the TAP1 protein, but not the Phe(265), is critical for proper TAP function.

Mammalian ABC transporters in health and disease

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a family of large proteins in membranes and are able to transport a variety of compounds through membranes against steep concentration gradients at the cost of ATP hydrolysis. The available outline of the human genome contains 48 ABC genes; 16 of these have a known function and 14 are associated with a defined human disease. Major physiological functions of ABC transporters include the transport of lipids, bile salts, toxic compounds, and peptides for antigen presentation or other purposes. We review the functions of mammalian ABC transporters, emphasizing biochemical mechanisms and genetic defects. Our overview illustrates the importance of ABC transporters in human physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and disease. We focus on three topics: (a) ABC transporters transporting drugs (xenotoxins) and drug conjugates. (b) Mammalian secretory epithelia using ABC transporters to excrete a large number of substances, sometimes against a steep concentration gradient. Several inborn errors in liver metabolism are due to mutations in one of the genes for these pumps; these are discussed. (c) A rapidly increasing number of ABC transporters are found to play a role in lipid transport. Defects in each of these transporters are involved in human inborn or acquired diseases.

Tapasin interacts with the membrane-spanning domains of both TAP subunits and enhances the structural stability of TAP1 x TAP2 Complexes

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) proteins are involved in transport of peptides from the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticulum. Two subunits, TAP1 and TAP2, are necessary and sufficient for peptide binding and peptide translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. TAP1 and TAP2 contain an N-terminal hydrophobic membrane-spanning region and a C-terminal nucleotide binding domain. Tapasin is an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein that has been found associated with the TAP subunits and shown to increase expression levels of TAP. Here we investigated TAP-tapasin interactions and their effects on TAP function in insect cells. We show tapasin binding to both TAP1 and TAP2 and to the corresponding nucleotide binding domain-exchanged chimeras as well as to a truncated TAP1.TAP2 complex containing just the membrane-spanning regions of TAP1 and TAP2. However, tapasin interactions with either the truncated TAP construct containing just the nucleotide binding domain are not observed. Tapasin is not required for high affinity peptide binding to TAP1.TAP2 complexes, and in fact, the presence of tapasin slightly reduces the affinity of TAP complexes for peptides. However, at near physiological temperatures, both tapasin and nucleotides stabilize the peptide binding site of TAP1.TAP2 complexes against inactivation, and enhanced thermostability of both TAP subunits is observed in the presence of tapasin. The enhanced structural stability of TAP1.TAP2 complexes in the presence of tapasin might explain the observations that tapasin increases TAP protein expression levels in mammalian cells.

Powering the peptide pump: TAP crosstalk with energetic nucleotides

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters represent a large family of membrane-spanning proteins that have a shared structural organization and conserved nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). They transport a large variety of solutes, and defects in these transporters are an important cause of human disease. TAP (tmacr;ransporter associated with āntigen pmacr;rocessing) is a heterodimeric ABC transporter that uses nucleotides to drive peptide transport from the cytoplasm into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, where the peptides then bind major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. TAP plays an essential role in the MHC class I antigen presentation pathway. Recent studies show that the two NBDs of TAP fulfil distinct functions in the catalytic cycle of this transporter. In this opinion article, a model of alternating ATP binding and hydrolysis is proposed, in which nucleotide interaction with TAP2 primarily controls substrate binding and release, whereas interaction with TAP1 controls structural rearrangements of the transmembrane pathway. Viral proteins that inhibit TAP function cause arrests at distinct points of this catalytic cycle.

Functional asymmetry of the ATP-binding-cassettes of the ABC transporter TAP is determined by intrinsic properties of the nucleotide binding domains

The ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) delivers peptides into the ER. TAP consists of two polypeptides (TAP1 and TAP2) each with an N-terminal transmembrane (TMD) and a C-terminal nucleotide binding domain (NBD). The two highly homologous NBDs of TAP show different nucleotide binding specificites, and identical mutations in the domains can have different effects on peptide transport. We asked whether this functional asymmetry of the NBDs is an intrinsic property or is imposed by the TMDs to which they are linked. To investigate the functional interdependence of the TAP domains, we created various TAP variants in which TMDs and/or NBDs were exchanged. All TAP variants except those with two TMDs of TAP1 could assemble. The TMDs did not affect the different nucleotide binding properties of the NBDs. The TAP variant with switched NBDs showed active peptide transport while the variants with pairs of identical NBDs or TMDs were inactive. Although both types of TMDs and NBDs have to be present for peptide transport they do not have to be assorted as in wild-type TAP. Thus, TAP domains seem to preserve functional autonomy despite their fusion into single polypeptide chains. We propose that the two NBDs act as nonequivalent 'modules' that directly determine the functional asymmetry of the included ATP-binding-cassettes. This provides a new insight into the function of NBDs and opens up new possibilities to investigate the molecular mechanism of the 'NBD engine' in ABC transporters.