Conformation of peptides bound to the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jan 25;108(4):1349-54. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1012355108. Epub 2011 Jan 4.

Abstract

The ATP-binding cassette transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) plays a key role in the adaptive immune defense against infected or malignantly transformed cells by translocating proteasomal degradation products into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum for loading onto MHC class I molecules. The broad substrate spectrum of TAP, rendering peptides from 8 to 40 residues, including even branched or modified molecules, suggests an unforeseen structural flexibility of the substrate-binding pocket. Here we used EPR spectroscopy to reveal conformational details of the bound peptides. Side-chain dynamics and environmental polarity were derived from covalently attached 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl spin probes, whereas 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid spin-labeled peptides were used to detect backbone properties. Dependent on the spin probe's position, striking differences in affinity, dynamics, and polarity were found. The side-chains' mobility was strongly restricted at the ends of the peptide, whereas the central region was flexible, suggesting a central peptide bulge. In the end, double electron electron resonance allowed the determination of intrapeptide distances in doubly labeled peptides bound to TAP. Simulations based on a rotamer library led to the conclusion that peptides bind to TAP in an extended kinked structure, analogous to those bound to MHC class I proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / chemistry*
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic N-Oxides / chemistry
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Library
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Spin Labels
  • Spodoptera
  • Temperature
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Peptide Library
  • Peptides
  • Spin Labels
  • TAP1 protein, human
  • Water
  • 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid