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Structural basis of MHC class I recognition by natural killer cell receptors
Author(s) -
Sawicki Mark W.,
Dimasi Nazzareno,
Natarajan Kannan,
Wang Jian,
Margulies David H.,
Mariuzza Roy A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-065x.2001.1810104.x
Subject(s) - nkg2d , receptor , mhc class i , major histocompatibility complex , biology , immune receptor , natural killer cell , immunology , human leukocyte antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , antigen , cytotoxic t cell , genetics , in vitro
Summary: Natural killer (NK)‐cell function is regulated by NK receptors that recognize MHC class I (MHC‐I) molecules on target cells. Two structurally distinct families of NK receptors have been identified, the immunoglobulin‐like family (killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs), leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptors (LIRs)) and the C‐type lectin‐like family (Ly49, CD94/NKG2A, NKG2D, CD69). Recently, the three‐dimensional structures of several NK receptors were determined, in free form or bound to MHC‐I. These include those of unbound KIRs, NKG2D, CD69, LIR‐1 and the CD94 subunit of the CD94/NKG2A heterodimer. Together, these structures define the basic molecular architecture of both the immunoglobulin‐like and C‐type lectin‐like families of NK receptors. In addition, crystal structures have been reported for the complex between Ly49A and H‐2D d , and for KIR2DL2 bound to HLA‐Cw3. The complex structures provide a framework for understanding MHC‐I recognition by NK receptors from both families and reveal striking differences in the nature of this recognition, despite the receptors’ functional similarity. This research was supported, in part, by National Institutes of Health grants R01 AI47900 and R37 36900 (RAM) and a fellowship from the Cancer Research Institute (MWS). We are grateful to DW Wolan and IA Wilson for providing coordinates of NKG2D prior to publication, and to members of our laboratories for encouragement.