MARCH-I: A new regulator of dendritic cell function

We and other groups have demonstrated that the expression level of MHC class II (MHC II) is regulated through ubiquitination of the MHC II β chain. We also reported that MARCH-I, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is critical for this process. At present, however, the importance of MARCH-I-mediated MHC II regulation in vivo is still unknown. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in our understanding of MARCH-I-mediated MHC II ubiquitination, and discuss how we can overcome the difficulties inherent in these studies.