Two peptides from CD23, including the inverse RGD sequence and its related peptide, interact with the MHC class II molecule.

The human CD23 molecule (low affinity receptor for IgE) has a C-type lectin domain, a reversed Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence near the C-terminus, and an "RGD-binding inhibitory peptide" at the root of the N-sugar chain. Three peptides were synthesized to determine their functions, i.e., #1, including an inverse RGD sequence near the C-terminus; #2, RGD-binding inhibitory peptides in the gpIIIa chain of platelet integrin gpIIb/IIIa; and #3, the inverse sequence located at the root of the N-sugar chain of CD23 which has homology to peptide 2. Among the three peptide, only peptide 3 inhibited aggregation of L-KT9 cells. Isotope-labeled peptides 1 and 3 bound to MHC class II molecules but peptide 1 did not bind to CD23 molecules. Peptide 3 showed a higher affinity to MHC class II than did peptide 1. Both peptides in CD23, therefore, seem to have interesting and important functions in relation to MHC class II molecules and also to CD23 molecules when CD23 on EBV-transformed B cells acts as a lectin in homotypic cell aggregation. The physiological function of CD23 was discussed from an evolutional point of view. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.