KLRC1

The protein encoded by KLRC1 is Natural Killer Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C, Member 1, commonly known as NKG2A. It is a transmembrane receptor primarily expressed on natural killer cells and subsets of T cells, functioning as an inhibitory receptor upon binding to its ligand HLA-E, thereby regulating immune responses by suppressing cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion.
NKG2A interacts with the signaling pathway involving ITIM motifs in its cytoplasmic domain, leading to recruitment of phosphatases like SHP-1/2 and subsequent inhibition of activating signaling cascades. Dysregulation of KLRC1 is associated with impaired anti-tumor immunity and viral infections, and therapeutic strategies targeting NKG2A, such as monoclonal antibodies, are under clinical development to enhance anti-cancer immune responses by blocking this inhibitory checkpoint.