Intracellular Assembly and Trafficking of MHC Class I Molecules

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Abstract
The presentation of antigenic peptides by class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex begins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the co‐ordinated action of molecular chaperones, folding enzymes and class I‐specific factors ensures that class I molecules are loaded with high‐affinity peptide ligands that will survive prolonged display at the cell surface. Once assembled, class I molecules are released from the quality‐control machinery of the ER for export to the plasma membrane where they undergo dynamic endocytic cycling and turnover. We review recent progress in our understanding of class I assembly, anterograde transport and endocytosis and highlight some of the events targeted by viruses as a means to evade detection by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells.