The T lymphocytes of the vertebrate immune system look for changes that take place within the organism by examining a display of peptides at the cell surface. These peptides are presented by the products of the major histocomн patibility complex (MHC). MHC class I products present peptides derived by proteolysis of cytosolic proteins by the multicatalytic protease, the proteasome. These peptides are translocated from the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticuн lum by a dedicated peptide transporter, the transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP). TAP consists of two subunits, and translocates peptides that are approximately 8-12 residues in length. The COOH terminal residue of the peptide is a major determinant in the specificity of translocation. Folн lowing translocation, peptides bind to MHC class I molecules, which depend on the peptide ligand as well as on interactions with chaperonins for proper folding. These complexes then egress from the ER and are transported to their fmal destination, the cell surfacce.