Possible effects of the difference between A*1101 and A*1102 on the interaction with KIR2DS4. Predicted effects of the single substitution between HLA-A*1101 (Glu19) and -A*1102 (Lys19) were modeled using the structure file for HLA-A*1101 (1QVO). Electrostatic potentials were calculated with APBS tools () for 2DS4, 2DL2 (1EFX), HLA-C*03 (1EFX), HLA-A*1101 (1QVO), and HLA-A*1102 and were used to color the molecular surface drawn on their Cα traces (red, negative [−4]; blue, positive [4]). (A) Characterizing the binding of HLA-C to KIR2DL is an electropositive surface on HLA-C (e.g., HLA-C*03; bottom) that interacts with a complementary electronegative surface on KIR2D (e.g., 2DL2; top). Key acidic residues for KIR2D and basic residues for HLA-C are indicated. (B) In 2DS4 the common electronegative surface is disrupted by small positive and uncharged patches in L2 and L3 (boxes; top). HLA-A*11 has four nonconservative changes in the predicted KIR–HLA-C contact region (A69R, G79R, T80N/K, and H151R), resulting in an uncharged altered electrostatic surface compared with HLA-C. As indicated in the black and white circles, the substitution of Glu19 for Lys19 in A*1102 restores the electropositive surface in this region, which could explain its stronger reaction with 2DS4 than A*1101.