Tyrosinase-related protein 2 (180-188) presented by MHC class I H-2Kb (TRP-2(180-188)/H-2Kb)

The Tyrosinase-related protein 2 (180-188) presented by MHC class I H-2Kb is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) found primarily in murine models of melanoma. TRP-2, also known as dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of melanin and is highly expressed in both normal melanocytes and melanoma cells (Bloom et al., 1997). The specific nonameric peptide sequence SVYDFFVWL (residues 180-188) is processed and presented by the H-2Kb MHC class I molecule to CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This complex serves as a critical target for evaluating cancer immunotherapies, including peptide-based vaccines, DNA vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapies using engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) (Overwijk et al., 1999). Because TRP-2 is a "self" antigen, therapeutic strategies targeting this complex must overcome peripheral tolerance and often result in autoimmune side effects such as vitiligo. It remains one of the most widely studied antigens in the B16 melanoma mouse model for understanding anti-tumor immune responses and developing novel vaccination platforms (Tuting et al., 1999).

Other names

TRP-2(180-188)Dopachrome tautomerase (180-188)DCT(180-188)SVYDFFVWL peptideH-2Kb/TRP-2(180-188) complex

Activation of antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to recognize and kill tumor cells expressing the TRP-2/MHC complex.