ISG15 is a 17 kDa protein encoded by an interferon stimulated gene. Described in 1979, it was the first ubiquitin-like modifier to be identified, and its discovery followed the first reports of ubiquitin by only four years. While many important functions for ubiquitin have been reported, the functions for ISG15 and its conjugation are still largely unknown. Evidence suggests that ISG15 and its modification system play important roles in the innate immune response, regulation of interferon signaling, pregnancy, and several cancers. Modification of proteins by ISG15 occurs in a manner similar to that of ubiquitin and other ubiquitin-like modifiers. The enzymes which help perform the activation and conjugation of ISG15 have recently been identified. The conjugation enzyme identified for ISG15 was revealed to be an enzyme that was also involved in ubiquitin conjugation. Identification of an ISG15 specific protease has also been reported. Knockout of this protease in mice decreases the lifespan of these mice and makes them hypersensitive to treatment with interferon or lipopolysaccharide. The study of ISG15 and its modification system may yield a set of potentially useful therapeutic targets and thus, there is an increasing awareness and interest in this protein modifier. This review will highlight the history of its discovery, describe more recent observations about the enzymes involved in ISG15 modification, and summarize new findings which have important implications for the ISG15 system in signal transduction and immunology. This review will also point out important questions that remain to be answered and identify the major roadblocks which currently obstruct the understanding of ISG15 biologic functions.
T cell hybridomas isolated from nonresponder H-2b mice immunized with pork insulin were stimulated by insulin in the presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unmatched antigen presenting cells. The restriction element used by these CD4− T cells was mapped to an oligomorphic MHC class Ib protein encoded in the T region and identified as Qa-1b using transfectants. The antigenic determinant was localized to the insulin B chain, and experiments with truncated peptides suggested that it is unexpectedly long, comprising most or all of the 30 amino acid B chain. The antigen processing pathway used to present insulin to the Qa-1b– restricted T cells does not require transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP), and it is inhibited by chloroquine. A wide variety of cell lines from different tissues efficiently present soluble insulin to Qa-1b–restricted T cells, and insulin presentation is not enhanced by phagocytic stimuli. Our results demonstrate that Qa-1b can function to present exogenous protein to T cells in a manner similar to MHC class II molecules. Therefore, this class Ib protein may have access to a novel antigen processing pathway that is not available to class Ia molecules.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded glycoproteins bind peptide antigens through non-covalent interactions to generate complexes that are displayed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APC) for recognition by T cells. Peptide-binding site occupancy is necessary for stable assembly of newly synthesized MHC proteins and export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The MHC class II antigen-processing pathway provides a mechanism for presentation of peptides generated in the endosomal pathway of APC. The chaperone protein, invariant chain, includes a surrogate peptide that stabilizes newly synthesized class II molecules during transport to endosomal compartments. The invariant chain-derived peptide must be replaced through a peptide exchange reaction that is promoted by acidic pH and the MHC-encoded co-factor HLA-DM. Peptide exchange reactions are not required for presentation of antigens by MHC class I molecules because they bind antigens during initial assembly in the ER. However, exchange reactions may play an important role in editing the repertoire of peptides presented by both class II and class I molecules, thus influencing the specificity of immunity and tolerance.
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