KLRC1

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that can mediate lysis of certain tumor cells and virus-infected cells without previous activation. They can also regulate specific humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the killer cell lectin-like receptor family, also called NKG2 family, which is a group of transmembrane proteins preferentially expressed in NK cells. This family of proteins is characterized by the type II membrane orientation and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. This protein forms a complex with another family member, KLRD1/CD94, and has been implicated in the recognition of the MHC class I HLA-E molecules in NK cells. The genes of NKG2 family members form a killer cell lectin-like receptor gene cluster on chromosome 12. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been observed. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2015]

Killer Cell Lectin Like Receptor C1

Immune inhibitory receptor involved in self-nonself discrimination. In complex with KLRD1 on cytotoxic and regulatory lymphocyte subsets, recognizes non-classical major histocompatibility (MHC) class Ib molecule HLA-E loaded with self-peptides derived from the signal sequence of classical MHC class Ia molecules. Enables cytotoxic cells to monitor the expression of MHC class I molecules in healthy cells and to tolerate self (PubMed:9486650, PubMed:18083576, PubMed:9430220).
Upon HLA-E-peptide binding, transmits intracellular signals through two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs (ITIMs) by recruiting INPP5D/SHP-1 and INPPL1/SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatases to ITIMs, and ultimately opposing signals transmitted by activating receptors through dephosphorylation of proximal signaling molecules (PubMed:9485206, PubMed:12165520).
Key inhibitory receptor on natural killer (NK) cells that regulates their activation and effector functions (PubMed:9486650, PubMed:9430220, PubMed:9485206, PubMed:30860984).
Dominantly counteracts T cell receptor signaling on a subset of memory/effector CD8-positive T cells as part of an antigen-driven response to avoid autoimmunity (PubMed:12387742).
On intraepithelial CD8-positive gamma-delta regulatory T cells triggers TGFB1 secretion, which in turn limits the cytotoxic programming of intraepithelial CD8-positive alpha-beta T cells, distinguishing harmless from pathogenic antigens (PubMed:18064301).
In HLA-E-rich tumor microenvironment, acts as an immune inhibitory checkpoint and may contribute to progressive loss of effector functions of NK cells and tumor-specific T cells, a state known as cell exhaustion (PubMed:30503213, PubMed:30860984).
(Microbial infection) Viruses like human cytomegalovirus have evolved an escape mechanism whereby virus-induced down-regulation of host MHC class I molecules is coupled to the binding of viral peptides to HLA-E, restoring HLA-E expression and inducing HLA-E-dependent NK cell immune tolerance to infected cells. Recognizes HLA-E in complex with human cytomegalovirus UL40-derived peptide (VMAPRTLIL) and inhibits NK cell cytotoxicity.
(Microbial infection) May recognize HLA-E in complex with HIV-1 gag/Capsid protein p24-derived peptide (AISPRTLNA) on infected cells and may inhibit NK cell cytotoxicity, a mechanism that allows HIV-1 to escape immune recognition.
(Microbial infection) Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, may contribute to functional exhaustion of cytotoxic NK cells and CD8-positive T cells (PubMed:32203188, PubMed:32859121).
On NK cells, may recognize HLA-E in complex with SARS-CoV-2 S/Spike protein S1-derived peptide (LQPRTFLL) expressed on the surface of lung epithelial cells, inducing NK cell exhaustion and dampening antiviral immune surveillance (PubMed:32859121).

Adaptive immune responseIEA:UniProtKB-KW
CD8-positive, gamma-delta intraepithelial T cell differentiationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Cell surface receptor signaling pathwayManual Assertion Based On ExperimentTAS:ProtInc
Innate immune responseIEA:UniProtKB-KW
Natural killer cell inhibitory signaling pathwayManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Negative regulation of natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicityManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Negative regulation of T cell mediated cytotoxicityManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB

Cell membrane

Cytoplasmic: 1-70
Helical: 71-93
Extracellular: 94-233

Phosphorylated.