Natural killer cell receptors in the horse: evidence for the existence of multiple transcribed LY49 genes.
Abstract: In rodents, the Ly49 family encodes natural killer (NK) receptors interacting with classical MHC class I molecules, whereas the corresponding receptors in primates are members of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family. Recent evidence indicates that the cattle, domestic cat, dog, and pig have a single LY49 and multiple KIR genes, suggesting that predominant NK receptors in most non-rodent mammals might be KIR. Here, we show that the horse has at least six LY49 genes, five with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) and one with arginine in the transmembrane region. Interestingly, none of the horse KIR-like cDNA clones isolated by library screening encoded molecules likely to function asNK receptors; four types of clones were KIR-Ig-like transcript (KIR-ILT) hybrids and contained premature stop codons and/or frameshift mutations, and two putative allelic sequences predicting KIR3DL molecules had mutated ITIM. To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that non-rodent mammals may use LY49 as NK receptors for classical MHC class I. We also show that horse spleen expresses ILT-like genes with unique domain organizations. Radiation hybrid mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization localized horse LY49 and KIR/ILT genes to chromosomes 6q13 and 10p12, respectively.
Publication Date: 2004-03-03 PubMed ID: 14991607DOI: 10.1002/eji.200324695Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study focuses on discovering more about natural killer (NK) cell receptors in horses, with evidence showing multiple transcribed LY49 genes. The research also indicates that horses might be using LY49 as NK receptors for classical MHC class I, and unique domain organizations with ILT-like genes are expressed in a horse’s spleen.
Understanding NK Cell Receptors
- Natural killer (NK) cells are a crucial part of the immune system, targeting and destroying cells that are infected or tumorous.
- These cells identify targets via NK receptors, which interact with MHC class I molecules. In rodents, these are encoded by the Ly49 family, while in primates, they come from the KIR family.
- MHC class I molecules are important because they help trigger an immune response by presenting pieces of proteins from inside the cell to T cells. This research investigates how NK receptors interact with such molecules.
The NK Receptors in Horses
- While other domestic animals such as cattle, cats, dogs, and pigs typically have a single Ly49 and multiple KIR genes, the study found that horses have at least six Ly49 genes.
- Five of these genes had an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM), and one had arginine in the transmembrane region.
- No KIR-like cDNA clones (clones that could potentially function as NK receptors) were found when screening the horse’s library. Those that were found contained mutations or stop codons, making them unlikely to function as receptors.
The Implications of the Findings
- The presence of multiple Ly49 genes in horses points towards the possibility that non-rodent mammals may be using LY49 as NK receptors for classical MHC class I, which hasn’t been suggested before.
- There is also evidence that horse spleen expresses ILT-like genes with unique domain organization, potentially indicating a sophisticated immune response.
- The research also discovered the specific locations of the horse LY49 and KIR/ILT genes – chromosomes 6q13 and 10p12 respectively.
This work provides a deeper understanding of the immune system and offers a benchmark for further research on natural killer cells in non-rodent mammals.
Cite This Article
APA
Takahashi T, Yawata M, Raudsepp T, Lear TL, Chowdhary BP, Antczak DF, Kasahara M.
(2004).
Natural killer cell receptors in the horse: evidence for the existence of multiple transcribed LY49 genes.
Eur J Immunol, 34(3), 773-784.
https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.200324695 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biosystems Science, School of Advanced Sciences, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Japan.
- Department of Biosystems Science, School of Advanced Sciences, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Japan.
- present address: Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5126, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
- M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
- James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA.
- Department of Biosystems Science, School of Advanced Sciences, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antigens, Ly / classification
- Antigens, Ly / genetics
- Chromosome Mapping
- DNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
- Horses / immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
- Lectins, C-Type
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Protein Isoforms / genetics
- Protein Isoforms / metabolism
- Receptors, Immunologic / classification
- Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
- Receptors, KIR
- Receptors, NK Cell Lectin-Like
- Sequence Alignment
- Transcription, Genetic
Citations
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