More specifically, calnexin binds N-glycoproteins that have GlcNAc2Man9Glc1 oligosaccharides. Calnexin can only bind to monoglucosylated oligosaccharides. I heavy chain associate with multiple proteins including calnexin, ERp57, calreticulin, and TAP 1 and 2. Observations have been made that suggest calnexin retains some MHC class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum even after they are fully assembled. This may be beneficial in the face of viral infection.
Some viruses inhibit host cell protein synthesis while stimulating viral protein synthesis.
In fact, it associates with all the TCR components except for zeta. References BD Transduction Laboratories. Accessed 2000 March 2. David Thomas Laboratory. Accessed 2000 March 2.