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The Ly‐49 family: genes, proteins and recognition of class I MHC
Author(s) -
Takei Fumio,
Brennan Jack,
Mager Dixie L
Publication year - 1997
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 - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.1997.tb00940.x
Subject(s) - biology , major histocompatibility complex , mhc class i , genetics , gene family , gene , mhc class ii , receptor , cd74 , allele , mhc restriction , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression
Summary: The Ly‐49 family consists of at least nine members, of which Ly‐49A and C have been found to be NK‐cell inhibitory receptors specific for class I MHC. The functions of other Ly‐49 molecules are still unclear. Further analysis of Ly‐49 is complicated by the cross‐reactivities of some anti‐Ly‐49 anybodies initially thought to be specific for individual Ly‐49 molecules. Studies on the role of Ly‐49 in hybrid resistance as well as on allelic exclusion are also complicated by our recent finding that a novel Ly‐49C B6 gene is the likely allelic form of Ly‐49CMLB AS opposed to a previously reported highly related but distinct gene in B6 mice. In cell binding assays, only Ly‐49A and C show significant binding to class I MHC, Ly‐49A and C also bind some polysaccharides, and carbohydrates on class I MHC seem to be important for its binding to Ly‐49, However, this interaction involves NOT only the carbohydrate recognition domain of Ly‐49 but also a part of the stalk region, suggesting that both caxbohydrates and peptide backbone of class I MHC may be recognized by Ly‐49. It is likely that additional Ly‐49 mole cells yet to be identified function as NK‐inhibitory receptors specific for class I MHC.