A mutated intron sequence codes for an antigenic peptide recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes on a human melanoma.

Coulie, P G; Lehmann, F; Lethé, B; Herman, J; Lurquin, C; Andrawiss, M; Boon, T · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1995

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We have identified an antigen recognized on a human melanoma by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. It is encoded by a gene that is expressed in many normal tissues. Remarkably, the sequence coding for the antigenic peptide is located across an exon-intron junction. A point mutation is present in the intron that generates an amino acid change that is essential for the recognition of the peptide by the anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This observation suggests that the T-cell-mediated surveillance of the integrity of the genome may extend to some intronic regions.

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