Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters.
Many receptors on natural killer (NK) cells recognize major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in order to monitor unhealthy tissues, such as cells infected with viruses, and some tumors. Genes encoding families of NK receptors and related sequences are organized into two main clusters in...
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2005-08-01
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| Series: | PLoS Genetics |
| Online Access: | https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010027&type=printable |
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| author | James Kelley Lutz Walter John Trowsdale |
| author_facet | James Kelley Lutz Walter John Trowsdale |
| author_sort | James Kelley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many receptors on natural killer (NK) cells recognize major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in order to monitor unhealthy tissues, such as cells infected with viruses, and some tumors. Genes encoding families of NK receptors and related sequences are organized into two main clusters in humans: the natural killer complex on Chromosome 12p13.1, which encodes C-type lectin molecules, and the leukocyte receptor complex on Chromosome 19q13.4, which encodes immunoglobulin superfamily molecules. The composition of these gene clusters differs markedly between closely related species, providing evidence for rapid, lineage-specific expansions or contractions of sets of loci. The choice of NK receptor genes is polarized in the two species most studied, mouse and human. In mouse, the C-type lectin-related Ly49 gene family predominates. Conversely, the single Ly49 sequence is a pseudogene in humans, and the immunoglobulin superfamily KIR gene family is extensive. These different gene sets encode proteins that are comparable in function and genetic diversity, even though they have undergone species-specific expansions. Understanding the biological significance of this curious situation may be aided by studying which NK receptor genes are used in other vertebrates, especially in relation to species-specific differences in genes for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae25f6f4bc5f42499738c45776aa932c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1553-7390 1553-7404 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2005-08-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
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| series | PLoS Genetics |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae25f6f4bc5f42499738c45776aa932c2025-08-20T02:17:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Genetics1553-73901553-74042005-08-011212913910.1371/journal.pgen.0010027Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters.James KelleyLutz WalterJohn TrowsdaleMany receptors on natural killer (NK) cells recognize major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in order to monitor unhealthy tissues, such as cells infected with viruses, and some tumors. Genes encoding families of NK receptors and related sequences are organized into two main clusters in humans: the natural killer complex on Chromosome 12p13.1, which encodes C-type lectin molecules, and the leukocyte receptor complex on Chromosome 19q13.4, which encodes immunoglobulin superfamily molecules. The composition of these gene clusters differs markedly between closely related species, providing evidence for rapid, lineage-specific expansions or contractions of sets of loci. The choice of NK receptor genes is polarized in the two species most studied, mouse and human. In mouse, the C-type lectin-related Ly49 gene family predominates. Conversely, the single Ly49 sequence is a pseudogene in humans, and the immunoglobulin superfamily KIR gene family is extensive. These different gene sets encode proteins that are comparable in function and genetic diversity, even though they have undergone species-specific expansions. Understanding the biological significance of this curious situation may be aided by studying which NK receptor genes are used in other vertebrates, especially in relation to species-specific differences in genes for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules.https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010027&type=printable |
| spellingShingle | James Kelley Lutz Walter John Trowsdale Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters. PLoS Genetics |
| title | Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters. |
| title_full | Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters. |
| title_fullStr | Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters. |
| title_short | Comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters. |
| title_sort | comparative genomics of natural killer cell receptor gene clusters |
| url | https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010027&type=printable |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jameskelley comparativegenomicsofnaturalkillercellreceptorgeneclusters AT lutzwalter comparativegenomicsofnaturalkillercellreceptorgeneclusters AT johntrowsdale comparativegenomicsofnaturalkillercellreceptorgeneclusters |