MHC CLASS I H-2DB COMPLEXED WITH A SENDAI VIRUS NUCLEOPROTEIN PEPTIDE

thingiverse

These are stl files for a molecular structure from the PDB (RCSB) database, a component of the Immune System named the MHC. MHC molecules can bind small peptides from different sources, thereby alerting the immune system in case of infection or cancer. I separated the peptide from the MHC, with the idea to check if I can print them separately and then assemble them and get a good fit. This is still to be tested and news will be posted here on outcome. I have printed successfully the MHC complexed with beta-2 Microglobulin, chains A and B of the pdb file (this is one of the two file you can download). The molecule was printed by selecting the "supports" option of the printer at 10% as thickness. The settings for the printing were 30% fill, 0,2 mm layer thickness, shell normal. Taking out the supports after printing takes a while and is kind of a zen job in particular for the holes in the structure, but if you remember to make them very light in the printing options, it is a quite straightforward job, just requires a little patience. I am now printing a new one, and the peptide (which is the second file to download). Will see if the peptide will enter the binding groove easily. If you print one, thanks for posting the photos! See mines in the photo gallery. UPDATE I can't fit the peptide into the MHC pocket, although it is easy to see how the fit "would be". Likely for loading the peptide, the pocket of the MHC molecule "opens up" and then somehow "clamps" the peptide in place. So although the peptide does fit the pocket, once it is outside it can't be simply slided in from above, without opening the pocket first. All wild speculations here, only based on "3D printing data" :)