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

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These are STL files for a molecular structure from the PDB (RCSB) database, an integral component of the Immune System known as MHC molecules, which can bind small peptides from various sources to alert the immune system in cases of infection or cancer. I have isolated the peptide from the MHC molecule with the intention of printing them separately and then assembling them to achieve a good fit, and I am still testing this process and will post updates on the outcome here. I successfully printed the MHC complexed with beta-2 microglobulin, chain A, and chain B of the PDB file (this is one of the two files you can download). The molecule was printed using the "supports" option on the printer at 10% thickness. My settings for the print job were 30% fill, 0.2mm layer thickness, shell normal. Removing the supports after printing takes some time and requires patience, particularly for the holes in the structure; however, if you remember to make them light during the print job, it is a relatively straightforward process. I am now printing another one of these molecular structures, which is the peptide (this is the second file to download). I will test whether the peptide will easily enter the binding groove. If you choose to print this model, thank you for posting your photos. You can view mine in the photo gallery. UPDATE: The peptide does not fit into the MHC pocket despite appearing easy to see how it would fit in place, and likely, for loading the peptide, the pocket of the MHC molecule "opens up" and then "clamps" the peptide into position once the opening has closed again, which may explain why the peptide doesn't fit once outside of the pocket. All this is based on "3D printing data", purely speculative in nature.