Structural basis for recognition of MHC and MHC-like ligands by natural killer cell receptors

Natural killer (NK) cell function is regulated by NK cell receptors that bind classical MHC class I molecules or their structural relatives. The latter group includes self-ligands (MICA, RAE-I, H-60), as well as ligands encoded by viruses (UL18, m155, m157). Two distinct families of NK receptors have been identified: the immunoglobulin-like family (KIRs, LIRs) and the C-type lectin-like family (Ly49s, NKG2D, CD94/NKG2). Here we describe the crystal structures of NK receptors that have been determined to date, both in free form and bound to MHC class I or MHC class I-like molecules.