Ortho-mcneil Pharmaceutical Corp.

Kwangseog Ahn

Young Yang

Klaus Frueh

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genomic US region encodes a family of homologous genes essential for the inhibition of major histocompatiblity complex (MHC) class I mediated antigen presentation observed during viral infection. Here we show that US3 and US6 encode ER-resident glycoproteins that prevent intracellular transport of NMC class I molecules by different mechanisms. US3 retains stable MHC class I heterodimers in the ER which are loaded with peptides while retained in the ER. US6 prevents MHC class I assembly with .beta.2 microglobulin which results in free heavy chains leaving the ER. These genes have the potential to prevent unwanted immunological reactivities triggered by MHC class I molecules.

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Seoul, South Korea

Kwangseog Ahn