NLRC5: a key regulator of MHC class I-dependent immune responses

• Published in: Nature reviews. Immunology Vol. 12; no. 12; pp. 813 - 820
• Main Authors: Kobayashi, Koichi S., van den Elsen, Peter J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.12.2012; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 20; 631/250/21/324/1509; 631/250/2152; 631/250/2502; Adaptive Immunity - genetics; Adaptive Immunity - immunology; Animals; Antigens; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Boxes; CIITA protein; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation - immunology; Genes; Genes, MHC Class I - genetics; Genes, MHC Class I - immunology; Genetic aspects; Genetic regulation; Genetic transcription; Humans; Immune response; Immunology; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - immunology; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Major histocompatibility complex; MHC antibodies; Mice; Molecular modelling; Nuclear Proteins - genetics; Nuclear Proteins - immunology; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; Pathogens; Peptides; Physiological aspects; progress; Promoter Regions, Genetic - immunology; Proteins; Regulation; Reviews; Trans-Activators - genetics; Trans-Activators - immunology; Trans-Activators - metabolism; Transcription
• ISSN: 1474-1733; 1474-1741
• DOI: 10.1038/nri3339

The identification of NLRC5 as a transcriptional transactivator of MHC class I genes has shed light on the regulation of MHC class I expression. This Progress article summarizes the recent advances in the field and highlights some of the questions that still remain to be addressed. The expression of MHC class I molecules is crucial for the initiation and regulation of adaptive immune responses against pathogens. NOD-, LRR- and CARD-containing 5 (NLRC5) was recently identified as a specific transactivator of MHC class I genes (CITA). NLRC5 and the master regulator for MHC class II genes, class II transactivator (CIITA), interact with similar MHC promoter-bound factors. Here, we provide a broad overview of the molecular mechanisms behind MHC class I transcription and the role of the class I transactivator NLRC5 in MHC class I-dependent immune responses.