Fluorescein HLA-A*02:01 HBV core (18-27) – Fluorescent Peptides

HLA-A*02 is a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele which is part of the HLA-A group of human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) leukocyte antigens (HLA), found at the HLA-A locus. HLA-A is one of three major types of human MHC class I cell surface receptors. The receptor is a heterodimer, and is composed of a heavy alpha chain and smaller β chain. MHC Class I molecules such as HLA-A are part of a process that presents short polypeptides to the immune system. These polypeptides are typically 7-11 amino acids in length and originate from proteins being expressed by the cell. Cytotoxic T cells in the blood « read » the peptide presented by the complex and should only bind to non-self peptides. If binding occurs, a series of events is initiated culminating in cell death via apoptosis. This peptide corresponds to the Hepatitis B variant (HBV) core sequence which is presented on the MHC class I antigen HLA-A*02 and contains fluorescein, a widely used flourescent dye.