Identification of natural MHC class II presented phosphopeptides and tumor-derived MHC class I phospholigands.

MHC molecules present protein-derived peptides to T lymphocytes. By developing TiO2-based microcentrifugation columns, we identified the first phosphorylated MHC class I ligands from tumor tissue (renal cell carcinoma) and, by comparison to healthy renal tissue, found one Brf1-derived ligand as potentially tumor-associated. We further discovered the first natural phosphorylated MHC class II ligands.

Long-term immunity against actual poxviral HLA ligands as identified by differential stable isotope labeling.

Viral peptides are presented by HLA class I on infected cells to activate CD8(+) T cells. Several immunogenic peptides have been identified indirectly by epitope prediction and screening of T cell responses to poxviral vectors, including modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) currently being tested as recombinant or smallpox vaccines. However, for the development of optimal vaccination and immunomonitoring strategies, it is essential to characterize the actual viral HLA ligand repertoire of infected cells.

Implications of the effects of viscosity, macromolecular crowding, and temperature for the transient interaction between cytochrome f and plastocyanin from the cyanobacterium Phormidium laminosum.

The reaction between cytochrome f and plastocyanin is a central feature of the photosynthetic electron-transport system of all oxygenic organisms. We have studied the reaction in solution to understand how the very weak binding between the two proteins from Phormidium laminosum can nevertheless lead to fast rates of electron transfer. In a previous publication [Schlarb-Ridley, B.