KLRC2
Description
The KLRC2 (killer cell lectin like receptor C2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
KLRC2, also known as NKG2-C or CD159c, is a protein encoded by the KLRC2 gene in humans. It is a type II integral membrane protein expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells, which are lymphocytes responsible for the lysis of tumor cells and virus-infected cells without prior activation. NK cells also play a role in regulating humoral and cell-mediated immunity. KLRC2 is part of the KLRC (NKG2) gene family, which encodes transmembrane proteins with a C-type lectin domain. The KLRC2 gene is located within the NK complex, a region containing several C-type lectin genes expressed preferentially on NK cells. KLRC2 has been shown to interact and form dimers with CD94. The CD94/NKG2C heterodimer binds to HLA-E, which activates NK cells.
KLRC2, also known as NKG2C, is an immune activating receptor involved in self-nonself discrimination. It forms a complex with KLRD1 on cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets and recognizes HLA-E, a non-classical MHC class Ib molecule, loaded with signal sequence-derived peptides from HLA-G. This interaction is crucial for the generation and effector functions of adaptive natural killer (NK) cells, playing a role in maternal-fetal tolerance during pregnancy. KLRC2 regulates the effector functions of terminally differentiated cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, particularly in the adaptive NK cell response to viral infections. Upon binding to HLA-E-peptide, KLRC2 transmits intracellular signals through the adapter protein TYROBP/DAP12, triggering the phosphorylation of signaling molecules and cell activation.
KLRC2 is also known as CD159c, NKG2-C, NKG2C.
