Abstract
There has been marked progress in our understanding of the role of natural killer (NK) cells in immune responses, mainly due to the identification of NK-cell receptors and their ligands. The genes encoding many NK-cell receptors are located in the NK-gene complex (NKC). Here, we review the properties of NKC-encoded receptors, and provide a genomic and conceptual framework for an insight into NK-cell function and biology.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Evolution, Molecular
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Humans
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Ligands
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Mice
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Models, Immunological
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Multigene Family*
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Neoplasms / genetics
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Neoplasms / immunology
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Polymorphism, Genetic
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Receptors, Immunologic / chemistry
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Receptors, Immunologic / genetics*
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Receptors, Immunologic / physiology
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Virus Diseases / genetics
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Virus Diseases / immunology
Substances
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Ligands
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Receptors, Immunologic