Understanding the structural dynamics of TCR-pMHC complex interactions

Itamar Kass; Ashley M Buckle; Natalie A Borg

doi:10.1016/j.it.2014.10.005

Understanding the structural dynamics of TCR-pMHC complex interactions

Trends Immunol. 2014 Dec;35(12):604-612. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2014.10.005. Epub 2014 Nov 11.

Authors

Itamar Kass¹, Ashley M Buckle², Natalie A Borg³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 3800; Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative Life Sciences Computation Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 3800.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 3800. Electronic address: ashley.buckle@monash.edu.
³ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 3800. Electronic address: natalie.borg@monash.edu.

PMID: 25466310
DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2014.10.005

Abstract

Dynamics plays an important but underappreciated role in the interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and peptide-bound major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). Crystallographic studies have provided key molecular insights into this interaction; however, due to inherent features of the structural approach, the image of TCR-pMHC interactions that has emerged is a static one. In this review, we discuss how molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can complement and extend current experimental methods aimed at examining TCR-pMHC dynamics. We review the insights obtained from studies that leverage MD approaches, and propose that an integrative strategy that harnesses both MD simulations and structural and biophysical methods will provide new inroads into understanding the transitory and dynamic molecular events that dictate TCR signaling and T cell activation.

Keywords: TCR–pMHC interactions; conformational flexibility; molecular dynamics.

Publication types

Review