title: Structural basis for recognition of MHC and MHC-like ligands by natural killer cell receptors.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cell function is regulated by NK cell receptors that bind classical MHC class I molecules or their structural relatives. The latter group includes self-ligands (MICA, RAE-I, H-60), as well as ligands encoded by viruses (UL18, m155, m157). Two distinct families of NK receptors have been identified: the immunoglobulin-like family (KIRs, LIRs) and the C-type lectin-like family (Ly49s, NKG2D, CD94/NKG2). Here we describe the crystal structures of NK receptors that have been determined to date, both in free form and bound to MHC class I or MHC class I-like molecules.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology, W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. dorite@umbi.umd.edu
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Roy A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mariuzza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic