A family of murine NK cell receptors specific for target cell MHC class I molecules.
The Ly-49A molecule is an NK cell receptor specific for MHC class I molecules on target cells. When Ly-49A engages H-2Dd, Ly-49A+ NK cells become globally incapable of killing their targets in vitro. This interaction also occurs in vivo. Ly-49A belongs to a family of highly related molecules, including Ly-49C (5E6 antigen) and LGL-1 that also determine NK cell specificity. In the NK gene complex, the Ly-49 family is genetically linked to genes encoding NKR-P1 and CD69 that are structurally related and capable of activating NK cells. Finally, Ly-49 may be related to human molecules that are selectively expressed on NK cells and influence NK cell specificity. These findings highlight the emerging significance of the Ly-49 family in NK cell activity.
Yokoyama
W M
WM
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York 10029, USA.
Daniels
B F
BF
Seaman
W E
WE
Hunziker
R
R
Margulies
D H
DH
Smith
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000939:Epitopes; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D055630:Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like