Description
Introduction: CD1E belongs to the CD1 family of transmembrane glycoproteins which are structurally associated to the main MHC (histocompatibility complex) proteins and form heterodimers with beta-2-microglobulin. The CD1 proteins mediate the presentation of primarily lipid and glycolipid antigens of self or microbial origin to T cells. The human genome is comprised of 5 CD1 family genes organized in a cluster on chromosome 1. The CD1 family members are belief to differ in their cellular localization and specificity for particular lipid ligands. CD1E localizes within Golgi compartments, endosomes, and lysosomes, and is cleaved into a steady soluble form. The soluble form is necessary for the intracellular processing of some glycolipids into a form that can be presented by other CD1 family members