title: Complex structure of the activating immunoreceptor NKG2D and its MHC class I-like ligand MICA.
abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I homolog, MICA, is a stress-inducible ligand for NKG2D, a C-type lectin-like activating immunoreceptor. The crystal structure of this ligand-receptor complex that we report here reveals an NKG2D homodimer bound to a MICA monomer in an interaction that is analogous to that seen in T cell receptor-MHC class I protein complexes. Similar surfaces on each NKG2D monomer interact with different surfaces on either the alpha1 or alpha2 domains of MICA. The binding interactions are large in area and highly complementary. The central section of the alpha2-domain helix, disordered in the structure of MICA alone, is ordered in the complex and forms part of the NKG2D interface. The extensive flexibility of the interdomain linker of MICA is shown by its altered conformation when crystallized alone or in complex with NKG2D.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Willcox
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steinle
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Spies
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Strong
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry*; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C527085:KLRK1 protein, human; D037102:Lectins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell