KIR2DL4
KIR2DL4 (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL4, also known as CD158D, 103AS and 15.212) is an immunoglobulin superfamily receptor for the non-classical MHC class Ib molecule HLA-G. It is expressed by natural killer cells and signals from the endosomal compartment at the maternal-foetal interface. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KIR2DL4 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KIR2DL4 is a receptor for HLA-G, a non-classical major histocompatibility class Ib molecule. It recognises HLA-G in complex with beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) and a nonamer self-peptide. In decidual NK cells, engagement of this peptide-bound HLA-G-B2M complex triggers a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which acts as a molecular switch promoting vascular remodelling and foetal growth in early pregnancy. KIR2DL4 may also help balance tolerance and antiviral immunity at the maternal-foetal interface by keeping the effector functions of NK cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells in check.
Unusually, KIR2DL4 initiates signalling from the endosomal compartment after interaction with peptide-bound HLA-G-B2M. This leads to downstream activation of PRKDC-XRCC5 and AKT1, and ultimately an NF-kappa-B-dependent pro-inflammatory response. The protein is found at the cell membrane and on early endosome membranes, and it belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The name describes its architecture: two extracellular immunoglobulin domains (2D) and a long (L) cytoplasmic tail. As a class, KIR proteins with a long cytoplasmic domain transduce inhibitory signals through an immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM), whereas short-tailed members lack the motif and associate with TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein to signal activation.
KIRs are transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by natural killer cells and subsets of T cells. The KIR genes are polymorphic and highly homologous, and they lie in a cluster within the leukocyte receptor complex on chromosome 19q13.4. The KIR2DL4 gene is one of the framework loci present on all haplotypes, even though overall KIR gene content varies between them. Alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants. HGNC lists the gene among CD molecules and the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, and its earlier name was killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, two domains, long cytoplasmic tail, 4.
KIR2DL4 recognises HLA-G on decidual NK cells to promote vascular remodelling and foetal growth in early pregnancy, making it central to maternal-foetal interface studies.
As a KIR expressed by natural killer cells, KIR2DL4 helps researchers examine how HLA class I-related ligands regulate NK effector function.
KIR2DL4 signals from the endosomal compartment through PRKDC-XRCC5 and AKT1 to an NF-kappa-B-dependent pro-inflammatory response.
The KIR2DL4 gene is a framework locus present on all haplotypes in a polymorphic, highly homologous cluster within the leukocyte receptor complex.
KIR2DL4 is a receptor for peptide-bound HLA-G-B2M complexes. In decidual NK cells it triggers a senescence-associated secretory phenotype that promotes vascular remodelling and foetal growth in early pregnancy. It signals from endosomes via PRKDC-XRCC5 and AKT1, leading to an NF-kappa-B-dependent pro-inflammatory response.
KIR2DL4 is also called CD158D, 103AS and 15.212. UniProt names it killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL4. NCBI Gene reports that alternative splicing of the KIR2DL4 gene yields multiple transcript variants, some of which may not be annotated on the primary reference assembly.
The KIR2DL4 gene is a framework locus found on all KIR haplotypes, although total KIR gene content varies between haplotypes. The genes are polymorphic and highly homologous, and alternate alleles of this gene are represented on multiple alternate reference loci. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, HLA-G pathway components and downstream signalling proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q99706; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.