Disulfide Bridge Disruption in the α2 Domain of the HLA Class I Molecule Leads to Low Expression of the Corresponding Antigen

Using sequence-based typing, we have identified a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*30 allele, HLA-A*3014L, with a low expression pattern. The sequence of HLA-A*3014L is identical to that of HLA-A*3001 except for a G to C substitution in exon 3 at nucleotide position 563, resulting in an amino acid difference at position 164 (Cys to Ser). Due to the cysteine substitution, a disulfide bridge in the α2 domain of the HLA class I heavy chain cannot be formed. By using the standard microlymphocytotoxicity test, the HLA-A30 antigen cannot be detected. By flow cytometric analysis of the cell-surface expression at either 37°C or 30°C, a temperature-sensitive expression pattern of the HLA-A*3014L antigen was observed. Only by incubating the cells at 30°C, which increases the stability of HLA class I heavy chains, was a weak but clearly detectable HLA-A*3014L expression found. The mRNA expression level of the HLA-A*3014L allele was not affected by the nucleotide substitution. The intrachain disulfide bond formation in the α2 domain is essential for the normal expression of the HLA molecules. Reduced protein expression is probably caused by incorrect HLA class I heavy chain folding and HLA class I complex assembly.