The role of Invariant chain and associated molecules in an evolutionary perspective
Our group has since the early nineties aimed to understand the endocytic pathway and how peptide loading of the MHC class II complexes (MHC II) is regulated. A special focus for the group is to elucidate the contribution of the MHC II specific invariant chain (Ii) to the biogenesis of a specific endocytic pathway in antigen presenting cells (APCs). Ii plays a vital role in MHC II assembly and intracellular transport, but has been attributed an increasing number of additional functions in both in antigen presentation and cell signalling.
Our lab works in the junction of cell biology and immunology, and students attending our lab will be exposed to both fields. To understand immunology from a cell biological perspective is becoming increasingly important in order to develop new vaccine strategies and treatments towards various diseases.
Methods used in our lab:
DNA work (PCR with primer design and DNA cloning, QRT-PCR), Cell work (Transfection, cell cloning, antigen presentaion assays, imaging by confocal microscopy of both live and fixed samples, lymphocyte isolation from blood) Biochemistry (SDS-PAGE, Western blot)
Figure 1. Schematic illustration of Ii
Project:
Ii is a type II transmembrane protein with a 30 amino acid long cytoplasmic tail and we have found that this Ii tail modulates the endosomal pathway in a way that is favorable for antigen processing and peptide loading (figure 2).
This function is controlled by specific amino acids within the tail (DDQRD; figure 1) and one amino acid substitution is sufficient to abolish this function.
The amino acid sequence of the cytoplasmic Ii tail is conserved between different species however, it is not known whether the property of Ii is evolutionary conserved. This project will therefore aim to elucidate the role of Ii and associated molecules in an evolutionary perspective by investigating the Ii function in different species ranging from mammals to avian (birds) and teleost (bony fish).
Published Apr. 19, 2018 8:14 AM
- Last modified June 15, 2018 3:35 PM