Single chain class I major histocompatibility complexes

Abstract

A recombinant polypeptide and nucleic acid constructs capable of expressing the recombinant polypeptide are provided. The recombinant polypeptide comprises a chimeric polypeptide including an antigenic peptide being capable of binding a human MHC class I, a functional human β-2 microglobulin and a functional human MHC class I heavy chain.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A nucleic acid construct comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigenic peptide capable of binding a mammalian MHC class I, and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a mammalian beta-2 microglobulin translationally fused upstream of a functional mammalian MHC class I heavy chain. 
     
     
         13 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 12 , wherein said first nucleic acid sequence and said second nucleic acid sequence are translationally fused. 
     
     
         14 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 13 , wherein said first nucleic acid sequence is translationally fused upstream of said second nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         15 . A bacterial cell transformed with a nucleic acid construct which comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigenic peptide capable of binding a mammalian MHC class I, and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a mammalian beta-2 microglobulin translationally fused upstream of a functional mammalian MHC class I heavy chain. 
     
     
         16 . The bacterial cell of  claim 15 , wherein said first nucleic acid sequence and said second nucleic acid sequence are translationally fused. 
     
     
         17 . The bacterial cell of  claim 15 , wherein said first nucleic acid sequence is translationally fused upstream of said second nucleic acid sequence.