Abstract
Understanding the Ly49 gene family can be challenging in terms of nomenclature and genetic organization. The Ly49 gene family has two major gene nomenclature systems, Ly49 and Killer Cell Lectin-like Receptor subfamily A (klra). Mice from different strains have varying numbers of these genes with strain specific allelic variants, duplications, deletions, and pseudogene sequences. Some members activate NK lymphocytes, invariant NKT (iNKT) lymphocytes and γδ T lymphocytes while others inhibit killing activity. One family member, Ly49Q, is expressed only on myeloid cells and is not found on NK, iNKT, or γδ T cells. There is growing evidence that these receptors may regulate not just the immune response to viruses, but other intracellular pathogens as well. Thus, this review’s primary goal is to provide a guide for researchers first encountering the Ly49 gene family and a foundation for future studies on the role that these gene products play in the immune response, particularly the response to intracellular viral and bacterial pathogens.
Highlights
The highly polymorphic Ly49 genes serve as a reminder that nature and evolution occasionally conspire to resist systematic classification schemes
The first identified function of the Ly49 genes was as an inhibitor of Natural Killer (NK) lymphocyte killing of tumor cell lines that express MHC Class I
It was subsequently found that some Ly49 genes inhibited killing but others activated killing, both via interactions with MHC Class I molecules and other molecules like murine cytomegalovirus m157 on the surface of target cells (Makrigiannis and Anderson, 2000)
Summary
The highly polymorphic Ly49 genes serve as a reminder that nature and evolution occasionally conspire to resist systematic classification schemes. The first identified function of the Ly49 genes was as an inhibitor of NK lymphocyte killing of tumor cell lines that express MHC Class I. It was subsequently found that some Ly49 genes inhibited killing but others activated killing, both via interactions with MHC Class I molecules and other molecules like murine cytomegalovirus m157 on the surface of target cells (Makrigiannis and Anderson, 2000).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
