KIR2DL3
KIR2DL3 (killer cell immunoglobulin like receptor, two Ig domains and long cytoplasmic tail 3; also known as CD158B2, p58, NKAT2 and cl-6) is an inhibitory receptor on natural killer cells. It binds HLA-C alleles and suppresses NK cell activity, preventing cell lysis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KIR2DL3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KIR2DL3 is a receptor on natural killer (NK) cells for HLA-C alleles, including HLA-Cw1, HLA-Cw3 and HLA-Cw7. When it engages these ligands it inhibits the activity of the NK cell and so prevents cell lysis. This makes it a useful point of study for how NK cells distinguish healthy cells from targets, and for how HLA class I molecules shape innate immune responses.
The protein belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and sits in the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) group of CD molecules. KIRs are transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by natural killer cells and subsets of T cells. They are classified by the number of extracellular immunoglobulin domains (2D or 3D) and by whether the cytoplasmic domain is long (L) or short (S). KIR2DL3 has two Ig domains and a long cytoplasmic tail, as its name indicates. Receptors with a long cytoplasmic domain transduce inhibitory signals after ligand binding through an immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM). Short-tailed KIRs lack the ITIM and instead associate with TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein to transmit activating signals.
The KIR2DL3 gene lies in the KIR cluster within the leukocyte receptor complex on chromosome 19q13.4. KIR genes are polymorphic and highly homologous, and gene content varies between haplotypes, which is a consideration when designing and interpreting KIR2DL3 experiments. The gene was previously named killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, two domains, long cytoplasmic tail, 3. Because KIR ligands are subsets of HLA class I molecules, KIR proteins are thought to play an important role in regulating the immune response.
KIR2DL3 inhibits NK cell activity on binding HLA-C, making it a key receptor for studying NK cell regulation and the prevention of cell lysis.
The receptor recognises HLA-C alleles such as HLA-Cw1, HLA-Cw3 and HLA-Cw7, supporting work on KIR and HLA class I ligand interactions.
As a long-tailed KIR, it transduces inhibitory signals through an ITIM, offering a model for inhibitory receptor signalling.
KIR genes are polymorphic, highly homologous and vary in content among haplotypes, so KIR2DL3 is relevant to studies of immune gene diversity.
KIR2DL3 is a receptor on natural killer cells for HLA-C alleles, including HLA-Cw1, HLA-Cw3 and HLA-Cw7. Ligand binding inhibits NK cell activity and prevents cell lysis. Its long cytoplasmic tail transduces inhibitory signals through an immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM).
KIR2DL3 is also called CD158B2, p58, NKAT2, NKAT2A, NKAT2B and cl-6. Its full name is killer cell immunoglobulin like receptor, two Ig domains and long cytoplasmic tail 3. The name reflects its two extracellular Ig domains and long (L) cytoplasmic domain.
KIR2DL3 belongs to the KIR family within the immunoglobulin superfamily, encoded in a polymorphic gene cluster at 19q13.4. KIRs are grouped by Ig domain number and tail length. Long-tailed members are inhibitory, while short-tailed members associate with TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein to activate.
Other killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors involved in NK cell regulation and HLA class I recognition.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P43628; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.