Exam 1 -- Ch.4 Antigen Presentation Flashcards
How do we know when specific pathogens are present?
we rely on MHC (HLA)
What does MHC stand for?
MHC = major histocompatibility complex HLA = the MHC of humans
- a place to show antigens to T-cells
What are APCs?
= Antigen presenting cells
- they present antigens
Name some APCs.
- dendritic cells
- macrophages
- experienced B cells
What are Proteasomes?
normal protein turnover machinery in cytoplasm (constantly chewing up cellular proteins)
What are the two types of T-cells?
- Helper T cells (Cd4+)
2. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)
What are MHCs?
molecules that bind to protein fragments created in the cell and bring them to the surface of the cell
- they present the Ag to lymphocytes
What are the two methods of antigen presentation?
MHC I
MHC II
What does MHC I do? Why is this important?
presents the proteins that are constantly broken down WITHIN the cell and presents them of the cell surface
allows us to see what is being made IN cells
What does MHC II do? Why is this important?
on special cells that eat protein (phagocytosis) OUTSIDE of the cell and break it down and present the fragments on the cell surface
allows us to see what is happening OUTSIDE the cell
What type of cells can use MHC I method? What type of cells can use the MHC II method?
MHC I = almost ALL cells
MHC II = ONLY APCs
Describe the structures of MHC I and MHC II.
MHC I = only one long chain of AAs, beta not embedded in cell
- beta and alpha subunits are NOT equal
MHC II = two chains of AAs, both beta and alpha embedded in cell
- beta and alpha subunits are equal
What cells are constantly inspecting the presented fragments one MHCs?
cytotoxic lymphocytes (Killer T cells)
What does MHC I present?
- ordinary cellular proteins (enzymes, structural proteins)
- proteins encoded by viruses
- parasite proteins
T/F. Only a few cells in the body express MHC I.
FALSE–almost EVERY cell in the body expresses MHC I molecules
How do the proteins expressed by MHC I get there?
- Proteasomes chew up cellular protein into peptides
- Some peptides are broken into AAs for reuse, others go to ER
- Peptides to ER are attached to MHC I molecules (TAPI and TAP2)
- the peptide-MHC I complex is transported to cell surface
How do the peptides get to/into the ER to attach to the MHC I?
specific transport proteins (TAP1 and TAP2)
How many different MHC genes are there for humans?
six (3 from mom, 3 from dad)
- HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C
In order for each MHC I protein to form a complete MHC complex, what happens?
pairs with another protein (beta2- microgloblin)
How many varients for HLA-A, B, and C are there?
hundreds