MAFA-L, an ITIM-containing receptor encoded by the human NK cell gene complex and expressed by basophils and NK cells

Eur J Immunol. 1998 Nov;28(11):3755-62. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1521-4141(199811)28:11<3755::AID-IMMU3755>3.0.CO;2-3.

Abstract

The natural killer cell gene complex on human chromosome 12p12-13 encodes several C-type lectin receptor genes expressed by NK cells and other hematopoietic cells. We have identified a novel receptor gene in this region encoding a putative type II transmembrane glycoprotein. The product is 54% identical to the rat mast cell function-associated antigen (MAFA), which inhibits mast cell activation by IgE. The human MAFA-like receptor (MAFA-L) and the rat MAFA protein are expressed by basophils and both have an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif in the cytoplasmic tail, consistent with an inhibitory role in basophil activation. Unlike rat MAFA, expression of the MAFA-L gene is not limited to mast cells and basophils. In common with other genes in the NK cell gene complex MAFA-L is also expressed by natural killer cells as well as the monocyte-like cell-line U937. Expression in NK cells is restricted to peripheral blood NK cells, decidual NK cells do not express MAFA-L. While MAFA-L and rat MAFA might have a similar role in basophils, the expression of MAFA-L in other cell types implies additional functions for this molecule. The presence of the MAFA-L gene in the human NK cell complex indicates that this locus encodes C-type lectin receptors expressed by a variety of cells important in host defense.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Basophils / chemistry*
  • Chromosome Mapping*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / chemistry*
  • Lectins / analysis*
  • Lectins / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Trans-Activators*

Substances

  • KLRG1 protein, human
  • Klrg1 protein, rat
  • Lectins
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Trans-Activators

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF081675