Definition of anti-tyrosinase MAb T311 linear determinant by proteome-based similarity analysis

Exp Dermatol. 2005 Jul;14(7):543-50. doi: 10.1111/j.0906-6705.2005.00327.x.

Abstract

Using non-self discrimination as a driving force in generating peptide immunogenicity, we have developed a computer-assisted proteomic analysis in order to identify the protein antigenic regions that have evoked humoral response. The purpose of this study was to further validate the computational analysis for melanoma-associated antigens and, at the same time, to assess the efficacy of the methodology in defining antigenic regions of autoantigens associated to autoimmune diseases. To achieve this two-fold objective, we have examined the enzyme tyrosinase, a protein that represents an important autoantigen in patients with vitiligo or melanoma. Here, we report that the antigenic linear determinant of the monoclonal antibody (Mab) T311 raised against the melanoma/vitiligo tyrosinase autoantigen is located in the low similarity 15-mer amino acid sequence tyrosinase 233-247 IPYWDWRDAEKCDIC, within the fragment 237-247. These data confirm non-similarity to the host proteome as a factor that participates in shaping peptide immune reactivity and may be a first step towards designing tyrosinase antigenic peptides to be used for (i) direct neutralization of harmful melanocytes-attacking autoantibodies in vitiligo, or (ii) production of antibodies against tyrosinase-positive melanomas. Moreover tyrosinase peptide antigens might be used as key tools in studying the boundaries between self-tolerance and autoimmunity phenomena.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • H-2 Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / chemistry
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / immunology*
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Proteomics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Epitopes
  • H-2 Antigens
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase