Journal article

Crystal structure of HLA-G: A nonclassical MHC class I molecule expressed at the fetal-maternal interface

CS Clements, L Kjer-Nielsen, L Kostenko, HL Hoare, MA Dunstone, E Moses, K Freed, AG Brooks, J Rossjohn, J McCluskey

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | NATL ACAD SCIENCES | Published : 2005

Abstract

HLA-G is a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecule that is primarily expressed at the fetal-maternal interface, where it is thought to play a role in protecting the fetus from the maternal immune response. HLA-G binds a limited repertoire of peptides and interacts with the inhibitory leukocyte Ig-like receptors LIR-1 and LIR-2 and possibly with certain natural killer cell receptors. To gain further insights into HLA-G function, we determined the 1.9-A structure of a monomeric HLA-G complexed to a natural endogenous peptide ligand from histone H2A (RIIPRHLQL). An extensive network of contacts between the peptide and the antigen-binding cleft reveal a constrained..

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