Structure of HL-A A and B antigens isolated from cultured human lymphocytes.

From these data, a model was prepared which summarizes schematically our present knowledge of the structure and orientation of the HL-A antigenic molecule in the lymphocyte membrane (Fig. 3). It seems likely that the heavy chain spans the membrane, with the hydrophobic region inserted in the membrane and the hydrophilic C-terminus inside the cell. This C-terminal region bears one (possible two) SH residue which has the potential for forming interchain disulfides. Whether or not these are actually formed physiologically remains an interesting question. There is the attractive possibility that whatever the physiological functions of HL-A antigens are, structurally these molecules provide the potential for signaling from outside the cell to inside the cell because they span the membrane. It is even conceivable that this function might be expressed via the opening and closing of disulfide bridges.