KLRC4
Encyclopedia
NKG2-F type II integral membrane protein is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the KLRC4 gene
.
Natural killer
(NK) cells are lymphocyte
s that can mediate lysis
of certain tumor cells and virus-infected cells without previous activation. They can also regulate specific humoral
and cell-mediated immunity
. NK cells preferentially express several calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin
s, which have been implicated in the regulation of NK cell function. KLRC4 is a member of the NKG2
group which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encodes a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type II membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. The NKG2 gene family is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells. The 3' end of the KLRC4 transcript includes the first non-coding exon found at the 5' end of the adjacent D12S2489E gene transcript.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the KLRC4 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Natural killer
Natural killer cell
Natural killer cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte that constitute a major component of the innate immune system. NK cells play a major role in the rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses...
(NK) cells are lymphocyte
Lymphocyte
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.Under the microscope, lymphocytes can be divided into large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes. Large granular lymphocytes include natural killer cells...
s that can mediate lysis
Lysis
Lysis refers to the breaking down of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells is called a "lysate"....
of certain tumor cells and virus-infected cells without previous activation. They can also regulate specific humoral
Humoral immunity
The Humoral Immune Response is the aspect of immunity that is mediated by secreted antibodies produced in the cells of the B lymphocyte lineage . B Cells transform into plasma cells which secrete antibodies...
and cell-mediated immunity
Cell-mediated immunity
Cell-mediated immunity is an immune response that does not involve antibodies but rather involves the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells , antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen...
. NK cells preferentially express several calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin
Lectin
Lectins are sugar-binding proteins that are highly specific for their sugar moieties. They play a role in biological recognition phenomena involving cells and proteins. For example, some viruses use lectins to attach themselves to the cells of the host organism during infection...
s, which have been implicated in the regulation of NK cell function. KLRC4 is a member of the NKG2
NKG2
NKG2 also known as CD159a is an activating receptor for natural killer cells....
group which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encodes a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type II membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. The NKG2 gene family is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells. The 3' end of the KLRC4 transcript includes the first non-coding exon found at the 5' end of the adjacent D12S2489E gene transcript.