Killer Cell Lectin Like Receptor Subfamily C, Member 2 (KLRC2)

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. NK cells preferentially express several calcium-dependent (C-type) lectins, which have been implicated in the regulation of NK cell function. The group, designated KLRC are expressed primarily in natural killer cells and encodes a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type II membrane orientation and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. The KLRC gene family is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells. KLRC2 alternative splice variants have been described but their full-length nature has not been determined.