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Updated: May 21, 2026

qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes
Published on: March 6, 2019
Assessment of copy-number variation in the NKG2C receptor gene in a single-tube and characterization of a reference
M Moraru1, M Cañizares, A Muntasell
1Laboratorio de Inmunogenética-HLA, Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Natural killer (NK) and T-lymphocytes monitor human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E expression through CD94:NKG2 heterodimers. Structural polymorphism is not a hallmark for NK-complex genes on chromosome 12, except for complete NKG2C deletion in some humans. We present a method for fast, simple and accurate assessment of NKG2C copy-number variation - presence or absence in the genome of an NKG2C gene, in homo- or heterozygosis, is detected by a single conventional polymerase chain reaction that yields amplicons of different lengths in each genotype. We have also determined the NKG2C genotypes of a reference cell panel comprising 13 NK- and tumour-cell lines and 39 Epstein-Barr virus transformed cells from the International Histocompatibility Workshop. Our results should facilitate research on the importance of NKG2C and its deletion for immunity.
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