title: Genetically linked C-type lectin-related ligands for the NKRP1 family of natural killer cell receptors.
abstract: The natural killer (NK) gene complex (NKC) encodes orphan lectin-like NK cell receptors that may explain uncharacterized NK cell specificities. Unlike other NKC-encoded receptors that recognize molecules with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I folds, here we show that mouse Nkrp1d and Nkrp1f bind specific C-type lectin-related (Clr) molecules. Nkrp1d mediated inhibition when recognizing Clrb, a molecule expressed in dendritic cells and macrophages. Nkrp1 (official gene name, Klrb1) and Clr are intertwined in a genetically conserved NKC region showing recombination suppression, reminiscent of plant self-incompatibility loci. Thus, these findings broaden the 'missing-self' hypothesis from solely involving MHC class I to including related NK cell receptors for lectin-like ligands, and reflect genetic strategies for biological self-recognition processes in other species.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Koho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iizuka
authors.forename: Olga V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Naidenko
authors.forename: Beatrice F M
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Plougastel
authors.forename: Daved H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Fremont
authors.forename: Wayne M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; C527212:Klrb1b protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B