Abstract
Recent studies have shown that many nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (class 1b) molecules have distinct antigen-binding capabilities, including the binding of nonpeptide moieties and the binding of peptides that are different from those bound to classical MHC molecules. Here, we show that one of the H-2T region-encoded molecules, T10, when produced in Escherichia coli, can be folded in vitro with beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) to form a stable heterodimer in the absence of peptide or nonpeptide moieties. This heterodimer can be recognized by specific antibodies and is stimulatory to the gammadelta T cell clone, G8. Circular dichroism analysis indicates that T10/beta2m has structural features distinct from those of classical MHC class I molecules. These results suggest a new way for MHC-like molecules to adopt a peptide-free structure and to function in the immune system.