KLRC2

Function

Immune activating receptor involved in self-nonself discrimination. In complex with KLRD1 on cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, recognizes non-classical major histocompatibility (MHC) class Ib HLA-E loaded with signal sequence-derived peptides from non-classical MHC class Ib HLA-G molecules, likely playing a role in the generation and effector functions of adaptive natural killer (NK) cells and in maternal-fetal tolerance during pregnancy (PubMed:30134159, PubMed:37264229, PubMed:9754572). Regulates the effector functions of terminally differentiated cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, and in particular may play a role in adaptive NK cell response to viral infection (PubMed:20952657, PubMed:21825173). Upon HLA-E-peptide binding, transmits intracellular signals via the adapter protein TYROBP/DAP12, triggering the phosphorylation of proximal signaling molecules and cell activation (PubMed:15940674, PubMed:9655483).

Tissue Specificity

Expressed in NK cell subsets, in particular in adaptive CD57-positive NK cells (at protein level) (PubMed:20952657, PubMed:21825173). Expressed in terminally differentiated cytotoxic gamma-delta T cells (at protein level) (PubMed:20952657). Expressed in alpha-beta T cells subsets (at protein level) (PubMed:20952657). KLRD1-KLRC1 and KLRD1-KLRC2 are differentially expressed within NK and T cell populations, with only minor subsets expressing both receptor complexes (at protein level) (PubMed:20952657).

Cellular localization

• Cell membrane
• Single-pass type II membrane protein

Alternative names

CD159c, NKG2C, KLRC2, NKG2-C type II integral membrane protein, CD159 antigen-like family member C, NK cell receptor C, NKG2-C-activating NK receptor

Database links

swissprot:P26717 entrezGene:3822 omim:602891

Other research areas

• Immuno-oncology