Pathogen-derived HLA-E bound epitopes reveal broad primary anchor pocket tolerability and conformationally malleable peptide binding

Lucy C. Walters, Karl Harlos, Simon Brackenridge, Daniel Rozbesky, Jordan R. Barrett, Vitul Jain, Thomas S. Walter, Chris A. O’Callaghan, Persephone Borrow, Mireille Toebes, Scott G. Hansen, Jonah Sacha, Shaheed Abdulhaqq, Justin M. Greene, Klaus Früh, Emily Marshall, Louis J. Picker, E. Yvonne Jones, Andrew J. McMichael, Geraldine M. Gillespie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Through major histocompatibility complex class Ia leader sequence-derived (VL9) peptide binding and CD94/NKG2 receptor engagement, human leucocyte antigen E (HLA-E) reports cellular health to NK cells. Previous studies demonstrated a strong bias for VL9 binding by HLA-E, a preference subsequently supported by structural analyses. However, Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb) infection and Rhesus cytomegalovirus-vectored SIV vaccinations revealed contexts where HLA-E and the rhesus homologue, Mamu-E, presented diverse pathogen-derived peptides to CD8+ T cells, respectively. Here we present crystal structures of HLA-E in complex with HIV and Mtb-derived peptides. We show that despite the presence of preferred primary anchor residues, HLA-E-bound peptides can adopt alternative conformations within the peptide binding groove. Furthermore, combined structural and mutagenesis analyses illustrate a greater tolerance for hydrophobic and polar residues in the primary pockets than previously appreciated. Finally, biochemical studies reveal HLA-E peptide binding and exchange characteristics with potential relevance to its alternative antigen presenting function in vivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number3137
JournalNature communications
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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