Infrequent occurrence of natural mutations in the pp65(495-503) epitope sequence presented by the HLA A0201 allele among human cytomegalovirus isolates

• Published in: Journal of virology Vol. 75; no. 5; pp. 2472 - 2474
• Main Authors: Zaia, J A, Gallez-Hawkins, G, Li, X, Yao, Z Q, Lomeli, N, Molinder, K, La Rosa, C, Diamond, D J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2001
• Subjects: Alleles; Antigens, Viral - genetics; Antigens, Viral - immunology; Cytomegalovirus - genetics; Cytomegalovirus - immunology; Cytomegalovirus - isolation & purification; Cytomegalovirus Infections - virology; Epitopes - genetics; HLA-A Antigens - genetics; HLA-A Antigens - immunology; Humans; Mutation; Phosphoproteins - genetics; Phosphoproteins - immunology; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - immunology; Viral Matrix Proteins - genetics; Viral Matrix Proteins - immunology
• ISSN: 0022-538X
• DOI: 10.1128/JVI.75.5.2472-2474.2001

To determine if mutations of an immunodominant HLA-restricted cytomegalovirus (CMV) peptide sequence occur in nature, the sequence corresponding to the HLA A*0201-specific peptide CMVpp65(495-503) was determined in 50 human CMV isolates. Rare mutations were detected; 6 of 50 were silent mutations at the amino terminus of the peptide, while 3 of 50 were mutations of the native methionine residue to isoleucine (M499I). The observed M499I mutation in three isolates decreased cytolytic targeting.