Variability and conformation of HLA class I antigens: a predictive approach to the spatial arrangement of polymorphic regions.

Comparison of available sequences of HLA-A and HLA-B antigens shows that variable positions are predominantly localized in four segments spanning residues 63-85, 105-116, 138-156, and 177-194. The fourth segment is unique in that it contains no differences between antigens of the same locus. Secondary folding of HLA heavy chain was estimated by three independent predictive methods and areas of defined structure were correlated with the distribution of local hydrophobicity to outline putative internal and external portions. The three analyses each independently predict a high probability for beta structure in the alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3 domains. A single alpha-helix is predicted within residues 146-160, a segment of likely importance in cytotoxic T cell recognition and graft rejection. Substitutions within this segment are spatially related by the helical turn. Variable residues usually lie in areas of high local hydrophilicity, and therefore they are probably on the surface of the molecule. The model predicts that they are frequently located in beta strands, beta-turns, or the above-mentioned alpha-helix, so that most substitutions would be accommodated within rigid frameworks that may impose structural constraints to variability. The secondary structure of alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3 domains presents some analogies that suggest that they might share common features in their tertiary folding. The predicted structure of alpha 3 is strongly reminiscent of that of immunoglobulin constant domains. Possible arrangements of elements of secondary structure are discussed, as an attempt to situating the polymorphic regions of HLA class I antigens in a spatial context.