Genetically linked C-type lectin-related ligands for the NKRP1 family of natural killer cell receptors

• Published in: Nature immunology Vol. 4; no. 8; pp. 801 - 807
• Main Authors: Yokoyama, Wayne M, Iizuka, Koho, Naidenko, Olga V, Plougastel, Beatrice F M, Fremont, Daved H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Nature Publishing Group 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, Surface - genetics; Antigens, Surface - metabolism; Dendritic Cells - metabolism; Genetic Linkage; Killer Cells, Natural - metabolism; Lectins, C-Type - genetics; Lectins, C-Type - metabolism; Ligands; Mice; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
• ISSN: 1529-2908; 1529-2916
• DOI: 10.1038/ni954

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.