Crucial role of N-terminal residue of binding peptides in recognition of the monoclonal antibody specific for the peptide-HLA-B5, -B35 complex

 The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4D12 specific for the HLA-B5, -B35 cross-reacting group (CREG) bound to a fraction of HLA-B^*3501 and HLA-B^*5101 molecules carrying self-peptides. Analysis of the binding of mAb 4D12 to HLA-B^*3501 and -B^*5101 molecules pulsed with chemically synthesized peptides revealed that this mAb recognizes a restricted number of peptides and that P1 of the bound peptides critically influences its binding. The 4D12 mAb bound only to HLA-B^*3501 molecules carrying peptides with Asn, Asp, Glu, Ser, and Val at P1. Analysis using an HLA-B^*3501 crystallographic model suggested that 4D12 may recognize the side chain of the P1 residue that is pointing to the solvent. On the other hand, 4D12 bound only to HLA-B^*5101 molecules carrying peptides with Asn or Asp at P1, suggesting that the 4D12 epitope formed by Glu, Ser, or Val at P1 and the A-pocket was changed by the substitution of His for Tyr at residue 171 of HLA-B^*3501 molecules. This was confirmed by testing the binding of mAb 4D12 to HLA-B^*3501 mutant molecules at residue 171 carrying these peptides. These results together suggest that the conformation of the A-pocket and its hydrogen bound network with the P1 residue is also critical for the binding of mAb 4D12. The present study shows the molecular basis of the specificity of 4D12 for the peptide-HLA class I complex. Received: 19 June 1997 / Revised: 27 August 1997