| 摘要 |
Splice variants of known TAP1 and TAP2 proteins, which are involved in translocation of antigen peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum for complexing with MHC class I molecules and eventual display on the cell surface, are disclosed. Two fully sequenced and characterized splice variants of TAP1 and TAP2, designated TAP1iso<3> and TAP2iso, respectively are disclosed. The TAP2iso protein subunit is shown to form functional heterodimers with TAP1 and to exhibit a peptide specificity that differs from previously studied TAP1/TAP2 transporter proteins. The discovery of splice variant TAP subunits alters the prior theory of immune response and introduces a cellular mechanism for diversification of antigen display to the CD8-positive T cells of the immune system. method for diagnosis and treatment of diseases or conditions associated with abnormal TAP isoform expression, or of expanding the repertoire of antigen peptides to which an individual's immune system is capable of responding, are also disclosed.
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