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One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
Published on: June 9, 2014
Promiscuity and the single receptor: NKG2D.
Robert A Eagle1, John Trowsdale
1Robert A. Eagle and John Trowsdale are at the University of Cambridge Department of Pathology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 OXY, UK. rae28@cam.ac.uk jt233@cam.ac.uk
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|August 4, 2007
Summary
Natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) activating receptors have diverse ligands. This diversity likely evolved to better compete with viruses, though other evolutionary explanations may exist.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- NKG2D is a key activating receptor on NK cells and T cells.
- It plays a crucial role in immune responses against infection, cancer, and autoimmunity.
- NKG2D ligands are MHC class I-related proteins induced by cellular stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the evolutionary advantage of diverse NKG2D ligands.
- To propose potential explanations for the multiplicity of ligands for a single receptor.
Main Methods:
- This is an opinion article, presenting a hypothesis and discussion.
- It involves reviewing existing literature on NKG2D and its ligands.
- It synthesizes current knowledge to propose evolutionary drivers.
Main Results:
- The diversity of NKG2D ligands is a significant feature of the immune system.
- Competition with viruses is presented as the most probable evolutionary driver for this diversity.
- Alternative evolutionary explanations are considered and discussed.
Conclusions:
- The evolutionary pressure from viral infections likely shaped the diversity of NKG2D ligands.
- Further research may uncover additional selective pressures contributing to this ligand diversity.
- Understanding this diversity is key to comprehending NKG2D-mediated immune regulation.
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