Immune functions encoded by the natural killer gene complex.
There has been marked progress in our understanding of the role of natural killer (NK) cells in immune responses, mainly due to the identification of NK-cell receptors and their ligands. The genes encoding many NK-cell receptors are located in the NK-gene complex (NKC). Here, we review the properties of NKC-encoded receptors, and provide a genomic and conceptual framework for an insight into NK-cell function and biology.
Yokoyama
Wayne M
WM
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8045, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. yokoyama@imgate.wustl.edu
Plougastel
Beatrice F M
BF
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic