Staphylococcal enterotoxin H displays unique MHC class II-binding properties.

Unique MHC Class II-Binding Properties Staphylococcal Enterotoxin H Displays

Both alpha-helices along the major histocompatibility complex binding cleft are required for staphylococcal enterotoxin A function.

The superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) requires interaction with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to activate T cells. We have previously used the synthetic peptide approach to establish one side of the hypothetical class II foreign-antigen binding cleft, alpha-helical region 65-85 of the beta chain, as a binding site involved in accessory cell presentation...

Persistence of zinc-binding bacterial superantigens at the surface of antigen-presenting cells contributes to the extreme potency of these superantigens as T-cell activators.

Bacterial superantigen intoxication causes massive overactivation of T cells, which can result in potentially lethal toxic shock. Superantigens fall into two groups: superantigens such as staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) that contain a single generic binding site for major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) and more potent superantigens such as SEA with a second, zinc-dependent MHC-...

Functional analysis of Mycoplasma arthritidis-derived mitogen interactions with class II molecules.

The ability of superantigens (SAGs) to trigger various cellular events via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules is largely mediated by their mode of interaction. Having two MHC class II binding sites, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is able to dimerize MHC class II molecules on the cell surface and consequently induces cytokine gene expression in human monocytes. In cont...

Crystal structure of staphylococcal enterotoxin I (SEI) in complex with a human major histocompatibility complex class II molecule.

Superantigens are bacterial or viral proteins that elicit massive T cell activation through simultaneous binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and T cell receptors. This activation results in uncontrolled release of inflammatory cytokines, causing toxic shock. A remarkable property of superantigens, which distinguishes them from T cell receptors, is their ability to interac...