Human natural killer cell receptors: insights into their molecular function and structure.
NK cells express receptors characterized by opposite functions that finely regulate their activities. Among inhibitory receptors, some are specific for different groups of MHC class I alleles, while others are still orphan receptors. On the contrary, various activating receptors are involved in the triggering of NK-mediated natural cytotoxicity. In general, their engagement induces human NK cells to kill target cells that are either HLA class I-negative or -deficient. Thus, the process of NK cell triggering mediated by Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors can be mainly considered as a non MHC-restricted mechanism. Here, a brief description of the molecular nature of these receptors, as well as, of their 3D-structures and of the implications for ligand recognition, is given.
Biassoni
R
R
Instituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy. robertobiassoni@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Cantoni
Claudia
C
Marras
D
D
Giron-Michel
J
J
Falco
Michela
M
Moretta
L
L
Dimasi
N
N
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / Q000235:genetics; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D005810:Multigene Family; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D037102:Lectins; C112260:NCR1 protein, human; C112837:NCR2 protein, human; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; C402206:SIGLEC7 protein, human