NKG2D recruits two distinct adapters to trigger NK cell activation and costimulation.

NKG2D is a receptor on natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes that binds major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like ligands expressed primarily on virally infected and neoplastic cells. In vitro studies indicate that NKG2D provides costimulation through an associated adapter, DAP10, which recruits phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. Here we show ...
that in DAP10-deficient mice, CD8+ T cells lack NKG2D expression and are incapable of mounting tumor-specific responses. However, DAP10-deficient NK cells express a functional NKG2D receptor due to the association of NKG2D with another adapter molecule, DAP12 (also known as KARAP), which recruits protein tyrosine kinases. Thus, NKG2D is a versatile receptor that, depending on the availability of adapter partners, mediates costimulation in T cells and/or activation in NK cells.
Mesh Terms:
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, Animals, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Killer Cells, Natural, Lymphocyte Activation, Membrane Proteins, Mice, Mutation, NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K, Receptors, Immunologic, Receptors, Natural Killer Cell, Signal Transduction, T-Lymphocytes
Nat. Immunol.
Date: Dec. 01, 2002
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