OVA Peptides: Structure, Formation, Metabolism and Applications

OVA peptides refer to peptides derived from ovalbumin, a component of egg white that consists of several amino acids. Ovalbumin can be prepared by specific enzymatic cleavage into OVA peptides, which have a specific amino acid sequence and are often used as model antigens to study immune cell activation, proliferation and effector functions.

Fig. 1. OVA peptides diagram.

Structural Characterization of OVA Peptides

OVA peptides are 43 kDa proteins that contain sequences of two main OVA peptides.

(1) Class I (Kb) restriction peptide epitope of OVA: H-Ser-Ile-Ile-Asn-Phe-Glu-Lys-Leu-OH

This peptide is the class I MHC (major histocompatibility complex) restriction peptide epitope of OVA and interacts with the class I MHC molecule H-2Kb. Class I MHC molecules present antigenic peptides to CD8+ T cells primarily on the cell surface.

(2) Class II (H-2b-restricted) peptide epitope of OVA: H-Ile-Ser-Gln-Ala-Val-His-Ala-Ala-His-Ala-Glu-Ile-Asn-Glu-Ala-Gly-Arg-OH

This peptide is the class II MHC-restricted peptide epitope of OVA and interacts with the class II MHC molecule H-2b. Class II MHC molecules present antigenic peptides to CD4+ T cells primarily on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells, B cells, and macrophages).

Examples of OVA Peptides

• OVA 257-264
  OVA 257-264 is a class I (Kb) restricted peptide epitope of ovalbumin, which is presented by the class I MHC molecule, H-2Kb. The OVA 257-264 peptide can be used for the detection of a strong CD8+ lysogenic T cell response.
• OVA (323-339)
  OVA 323-339 contains allergenic and antigenic epitopes of ovalbumin. OVA 323-339 peptide binds to IA(d) MHC class II proteins and is widely used to study the nature of class II MHC peptide binding and T cell activation.
• OVA (241-270)
  OVA (241-270) is a portion of the OVA peptide with the sequence ISQAVHAAHAEINEAGRITFVRC, a peptide composed of 30 amino acids. It is a class I MHC-restricted peptide epitope that interacts with class I MHC molecules and is mainly presented to CD4+ T cells for recognition and activation.

How the OVA Peptide is Formed?

The formation of OVA peptides occurs through protein hydrolysis and enzymatic cleavage during digestion. First, protein hydrolysis is required. Through gastric acid and pepsin, ovalbumin is hydrolyzed into smaller peptide fragments. Secondly, with the addition of specific enzymes, they cut specific locations of ovalbumin to form different types of peptide fragments. These peptides with specific sequences are OVA peptides and can be used in a variety of subsequent biological applications.

Metabolism of OVA Peptides

The metabolism of OVA peptides may be affected by individual differences and other factors, and the specific structure and amino acid sequence of OVA peptides may also affect the metabolism rate and pathway. OVA peptides are broken down into smaller peptide fragments and amino acids by gastric acid and enzymes when they enter the digestive system. And then, it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal epithelial cells. Once absorbed into the blood circulation, the peptides and amino acids are transported to different tissues and organs. In the tissues and organs, the peptides and amino acids are synthesized into molecules needed for new proteins. At the same time, the peptides are degraded.

Applications of OVA Peptides

• Immunological studies
  OVA peptides can be used as a tool to activate and study CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. They work by the mechanism that OVA Peptides, by binding to specific MHC molecules, can activate specific T-cell clones, which in turn allows the study of T-cell recognition mechanisms, activation and effector functions.
• Antigen presentation studies
  OVA peptides, upon binding to MHC molecules, can be used as a model antigen to be presented to specific cells. The ability to process, present and activate antigens to immune cells can then be observed.
• Immunotherapy research
  Immunotherapy requires the design of specific OVA peptides to activate and enhance specific immune responses. This can be used in vaccine design or immunotherapy to enhance the immune system's response to a specific disease or pathogen.
• Immune monitoring and diagnostics
  Similarly, specific OVA peptides need to be bound to MHC molecules and assayed, which can be used to assess the functional status of the immune system. This information can be used in the diagnosis of immune-related diseases and the evaluation of immunotherapy.