Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 peptide YLQQNWWTL presented by HLA-A*02:01 (LMP1-YLQ/HLA-A2)

The YLQQNWWTL peptide is a highly immunogenic epitope derived from the transmembrane domain (residues 159-167) of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1). In EBV-associated malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and certain lymphomas, this peptide is processed and presented on the cell surface by the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) allele A*02:01. LMP1 itself is a key viral oncogene that mimics CD40 signaling to promote cell survival and proliferation, making it a critical driver of viral oncogenesis. Because LMP1 is expressed in Type II and Type III EBV latency patterns found in tumors, the YLQQNWWTL-HLA-A2 complex serves as a specific target for adoptive cellular therapies, including TCR-engineered T-cells (TCR-T) and TCR-like antibodies. These therapeutic approaches aim to exploit the high specificity of the TCR-peptide-MHC interaction to selectively eliminate EBV-positive malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Other names

YLQQNWWTL-HLA-A*02:01 complexEBV LMP1 (159-167) peptideLMP1-YLQHLA-A*02:01/LMP1_159-167Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 epitope YLQQNWWTL

The target is recognized by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-like antibodies, which bind to the peptide-MHC complex on the surface of EBV-infected or tumor cells, leading to T-cell mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis of the target cell.