Association of class I major histocompatibility heavy and light chains induced by viral peptides.

We describe a cell in which association of a major histocompatibility complex class I heavy chain with beta 2-microglobulin is induced by a peptide derived from influenza nucleoprotein. Association of antigenic peptides with the binding site of class I molecules may be required for correct folding of the heavy chain, association with beta 2-microglobulin and transport of the antigen-MHC complex to the cell surface.