When a kinase inactive form of Protein Kinase D (PKD-K618N) was expressed in HeLa cells, it localized to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and caused extensive tubulation. Cargo that was destined for the plasma membrane was found in PKD-K618N-containing tubes but the tubes did not detach from the TGN. As a result, the transfer of cargo from TGN to the plasma membrane was inhibited. We have also demonstrated the formation and subsequent detachment of cargo-containing tubes from the TGN in cells stably expressing low levels of PKD-K618N. Our results suggest that PKD regulates the fission from the TGN of transport carriers that are en route to the cell surface.

HLA-DM catalyzes the release of MHC class II-associated invariant chain-derived peptides (CLIP) from class II molecules. Recent evidence has suggested that HLA-DO is a negative regulator of HLA-DM in B cells, but the physiological function of HLA-DO remains unclear. Analysis of antigen presentation by B cells from mice lacking H2-O (the mouse equivalent of HLA-DO), together with biochemical analysis using purified HLA-DO and HLA-DM molecules, suggests that HLA-DO/H2-O influences the peptide loading of class II molecules by limiting the pH range in which HLA-DM is active. This effect may serve to decrease the presentation of antigens internalized by fluid-phase endocytosis, thus concentrating the B cell-mediated antigen presentation to antigens internalized by membrane immunoglobulin.

HLA-DM (DM) facilitates peptide loading of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules in human cell lines. Mice lacking functional H2-M, the mouse equivalent of DM, have normal amounts of class II molecules at the cell surface, but most of these are associated with invariant chain-derived CLIP peptides. These mice contain large numbers of CD4+ T cells, which is indicative of positive selection in the thymus. Their CD4+ cells were unresponsive to self H2-M-deficient antigen-presenting cells (APCs) but were hyperreactive to wild-type APCs. H2-M-deficient APCs failed to elicit proliferative responses from wild-type T cells.

The murine MHC class II molecule H2-0 is expressed in B-cells and in thymic epithelium but the human equivalent, HLA-DO (DO), has not been detected, though the corresponding genes, HLA-DNA and HLA-DOB, are well known. Here we show DO to be a lysosomal resident in B-cells. Surprisingly, DO forms stable complexes with HLA-DM (DM), another lysosomal class 11-like molecule which is important for class IT-restricted antigen presentation. Association with DM is necessary for efficient exit of DO from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and thus for accumulation in lysosomes. The association is evolutionarily conserved and in mice lacking H2-M, the mouse equivalent of DM, the amount of intracellular H2-0 is decreased and only minor amounts of H2-0 appear to leave the ER. The DO-DM complexes survive in the lysosomal system suggesting that DO and DM functions may be intertwined.

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) have a distinct compartment in which class II molecules are proposed to acquire antigenic peptides. Genetic evidence suggests that human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DM, an unusual class II molecule, participates in this process. Peptide acquisition was reconstituted in nonprofessional APCs by transfection of class II, invariant chain (li), and H-2M, the murine equivalent of DM. The H-2M heterodimer appeared in an endosomal compartment, not at the cell surface, and the localization was independent of li. The data presented show that H-2M, class II, and li are the minimally required components for efficient formation of stable class II-peptide complexes, and thus for a functional class II compartment.