Question

Why are MHC molecules able to bind a variety of peptides?

1. the peptide-binding groove of a specific MHC molecule can bind several peptides simultaneously

2. The MHC genes undergo somatic recombination to produce thousands of MHC molecule variants

3. MHC bind very loosely and transiently to peptide antigens, so a wide variety of peptide antigens can bind any specific MHC molecule

4. a small number of amino acids in the peptide antigen bind specifically to complementary pockets in the MHC molecule binding groove

Answer 1

The peptide-binding groove of a specific MHC molecule can bind several peptides simultaneously.

Any protein processed into peptide present in MHC molicule and displayed on surface of cell.

Each MHC molicule have single binding groove. It can bind to many different peptide fragments of different length of amino acids.