| This site
contains information on the natural killer gene complex
(NKC), first described in 1990-91, with studies showing
that the mouse Ly49 and Nkrp1 receptors were highly
related in expression, structure and function and their
genes were co-localized on distal mouse chromosome 6. The Ly49 and Nkrp1 receptors were among the first to be described as being selectively expressed on mouse natural killer (NK) cells. They are expressed as type II integral membrane proteins with disulfide-linked dimeric structure, external domains homologous to the C-type (Ca++-dependent) lectins, and inhibitory and activating function. It is now recognized that the Ly49 and Nkrp1 receptors belong to families of molecules encoded by gene clusters in the NKC. One of the Nkrp1 receptors, termed Nkrp1c, is NK1.1, the best serological marker for CD3-negative NK cells in C57BL/6 mice. The human and rat NKC are located on syntenic human chromosome 12p13 and rat chromosome 4, respectively, and encode homologous NK cell receptors. Given the large size of the NKC (>4 megabases in C57BL/6 mice), the corresponding many receptors with diverse functions, allelic polymorphism, and species conservation, we have endeavored to provide up to date guidance on NKC-encoded receptors in this repository. Much of this site is based on a review article published in Nature Reviews Immunology that you may download here (NKC.pdf). Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D. Site maintained by Beatrice F.M. Plougastel, Ph.D. Send questions and comments to: BPLOUGAS@im.wustl.edu
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