Characterization of a major histocompatibility complex class I antigen-binding glycoprotein from adenovirus type 35, a type associated with immunocompromised hosts.

Adenovirus type 35 (Ad35) is a group B adenovirus that has been isolated primarily from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and other immunodeficiency disorders. We have studied the interaction of this unique adenovirus with the immune system by analyzing Ad35 early viral proteins in infected HeLa cells. We have identified a 29,000-Mr Ad35 early glycoprotein, E29, which associates with class I antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in the endoplasmic reticulum. Ad35 E29 is analogous to the group C Ad2 early glycoprotein E3-19K (E19), which has been shown to interfere with the expression of class I antigens on the cell surface (H. Burgert and S. Kvist, Cell 41:987-997, 1985). In contrast to the Ad2 glycoprotein, Ad35 E29 was synthesized in much smaller amounts, was more extensively glycosylated, and did not cross-react with polyclonal antibody against the Ad2 protein. As a control, a class I antigen-binding glycoprotein from another group B adenovirus, Ad7, was also characterized and was found to have properties similar to those of Ad35 E29. Therefore, the differences in the glycosylation and quantity of class I antigen-binding glycoproteins between Ad35 and Ad2 are group related. Inhibition of the expression of MHC class I antigens, which are needed for cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte recognition of virus-infected cells, appears to play a vital role in the adenovirus life cycle in vivo. Our data indicate that this function has been conserved despite significant differences in the MHC class I antigen-binding glycoprotein and in the pathogenicity between serotypes.