ISSN:
1600-065X
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary: A multigene family of immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig-SF) killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs) specifically recognize HLA class I molecules, while the interaction with H-2 products is mediated by members of the murine Ly49 C-type lectin family. A common structural feature of these receptors with inhibitory function is the presence of cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) that couple them to SHP phosphatases. Strong support for the involvement of the CD94 C-type lectin receptor complex in NK cell-mediated recognition of Bw6+ HLA-B, HLA A and HLA-C alleles has been obtained. The cloned CD94 molecule covalently assembles with at least two different glyco-proteins (43 kDa and 39 kDa) to form functional receptors. NK cells inhibited upon HLA recognition express the CD94/p43 dimer, whose specificity for HLA molecules partially overlaps the Ig-SF receptor system. By contrast. NK clones bearing the homologous CD94/p39 receptor are triggered upon its ligation by CD94-specific mAbs. Remarkably, a set of Ig-SF receptors (p50) homologous to p58 KIRs also display an activating function. CD94-associated molecules belong to the NKG2 family of C-type lectins; the NKG2-A gene encodes for the p43 subunit. which contains cytoplasmic ITIMS. Expression of the different CD94 heterodimeric receptors will enable precise analysis of their putative interaction with HLA class I molecules.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-065X.1997.tb00949.x
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