SLC45A2-derived peptide–HLA class I complex (HLA-A*02:01 or HLA-A*24:02)

The SLC45A2-derived peptide–HLA class I complex is a molecular entity formed when peptides generated from the SLC45A2 protein (a melanocyte differentiation and pigmentation antigen commonly expressed in melanoma) are presented by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules HLA-A*02:01 or HLA-A*24:02 on the surface of cells. These complexes are recognized by CD8+ T cells, making them key targets for T cell-based cancer immunotherapies, including engineered TCR therapies and peptide vaccines. Targeting these complexes allows for selective immune targeting of melanoma cells expressing SLC45A2 with minimal risk to non-pigment tissues. Their use as immunotherapy targets is supported by expression specificity, biological relevance in melanoma, and ongoing therapeutic development as tumor antigen/MHC-class I ligand complexes.

Other names

SLC45A2 peptide–HLA-A*02:01 complexSLC45A2 peptide–HLA-A*24:02 complexSLC45A2 melanoma epitope–HLA complexSLC45A2/HLA-A2 or SLC45A2/HLA-A24 complex

Induction of CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity upon recognition of tumor cells displaying SLC45A2-derived peptides on HLA-A*02:01 or HLA-A*24:02