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Function

Plays an inhibitory role on natural killer (NK) cells cytotoxicity. Activation results in specific acid sphingomyelinase/SMPD1 stimulation with subsequent marked elevation of intracellular ceramide. Activation also leads to AKT1/PKB and RPS6KA1/RSK1 kinases stimulation as well as markedly enhanced T-cell proliferation induced by anti-CD3. Acts as a lectin that binds to the terminal carbohydrate Gal-alpha(1,3)Gal epitope as well as to the N-acetyllactosamine epitope. Binds also to CLEC2D/LLT1 as a ligand and inhibits NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity as well as interferon-gamma secretion in target cells.

Post-translational modifications

N-glycosylated. Contains sialic acid residues.

Tissue specificity

Expressed in a subset of NK cells predominantly in intestinal epithelium and liver. Detected in peripheral blood T-cells and preferentially in adult T-cells with a memory antigenic phenotype.

Cellular localization

  • Membrane
  • Single-pass type II membrane protein

Alternative names

CD161, CLEC5B, NKRP1A, KLRB1, Killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily B member 1, C-type lectin domain family 5 member B, HNKR-P1a, Natural killer cell surface protein P1A, NKR-P1A

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Immunology & Infectious Disease

Other research areas

  • Immuno-oncology

Molecular weight

25415Da