Killer Cell Lectin Like Receptor Subfamily C, Member 1 (KLRC1)

NKG2 also known as CD159a (Cluster of Differentiation 159a) is an activating receptor for natural killer cells.The protein 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. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding two distinct isoforms have been observed.