Two antigens recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes on a melanoma result from a single point mutation in an essential housekeeping gene

Cancer Res. 1999 Nov 15;59(22):5785-92.

Abstract

We have pursued our analysis of antigens recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) on the melanoma cells of patient LB33. This patient enjoys an unusually favorable evolution, which is associated with a strong and sustained antitumor CTL response. We reported previously the analysis of two melanoma cell lines, MEL.A and MEL.B, which were derived from metastases removed from the patient at 5 years' distance. Autologous CTL clones derived from blood lymphocytes recognized several antigens presented by different HLA class I molecules on MEL.A. The MEL.B cells resisted lysis by these CTLs because they have lost expression of most HLA molecules, suggesting that they were selected in vivo by the anti-MEL.A CTL response. One of the MEL.A antigens was shown to result from a point mutation in the tumor. Here we report the cloning of a gene that encodes two other MEL.A antigens. This new gene, MUM-2, is expressed ubiquitously. In the melanoma cells of patient LB33, it contains a point mutation that changes one amino acid in the translated protein. Two different antigenic peptides, one presented to CTL by HLA-B44 molecules and another by HLA-C6 molecules, overlap and contain the mutated residue. Gene MUM-2 is homologous to an essential yeast gene, bet5, that was recently shown to be implicated in the vesicular transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. In a mutant yeast with a disrupted bet5 gene, both the wild-type and the mutated MUM-2 genes could complement for bet5 function. These results indicate that the antigenic mutation does not destroy the function of the protein, a function that is conserved in eukaryotic cells. The identification of these antigens suggests that point mutations could be the major cause of the strong immunogenicity of MEL.A cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • HLA-B Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-B44 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Point Mutation / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • Yeasts / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • DNA, Complementary
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-B44 Antigen
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TRAPPC1 protein, human
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF129332