Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules display tens of thousands of peptides on the cell surface, derived from virtually all endogenous proteins, for inspection by cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). We show that, in normal mouse cells, MHC I molecules present a peptide encoded in the 3′ "untranslated" region. Despite its rarity, the peptide elicits CTL responses and induces self-tolerance, establishing that immune surveillance extends well beyond conventional polypeptides. Furthermore, translation of this cryptic peptide occurs by a previously unknown mechanism that decodes the CUG initiation codon as leucine rather than the canonical methionine.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1367-1371 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 301 |
Issue number | 5638 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 5 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General