New major histocompatibility complex tetramer, useful for studying the antigen-specific immune response, includes DsRed fluorescent protein as tetramerizing agent

摘要

MHC (major histocompatibility complex) tetramer (A) comprising 4 MHC molecules (I) and, as tetramerizing agent, the DsRed fluorescent protein (II), is new. Independent claims are also included for: (1) MHC-monomer fusion protein (III) comprising (I) linked to (II), optionally through a linker; (2) DNA (IV) that encodes (III); (3) RNA (V) that produces (III) after translation; (4) prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells containing (IV) or (V); (5) a method for preparing (III); (6) a method for preparing (A); (7) a method for investigating an antigen-specific immune response; and (8) a test system containing the new MHC tetramers or monomers.