ULBP-2 Products

Description

ULBP-2 is a member of a family of cell-surface proteins that function as ligands for human NKG2D. ULBP-2 has also been described under the names RaeT1H (retinoic acid early transcript), NKG2DL2, and ALCAN-alpha. The name ULBP-2 derives from the original identification of three proteins, ULBP-1, -2, and -3, as ligands for the human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein UL16; they were designated UL16 binding proteins (ULBP). The gene for ULBP-2 resides in a cluster of ten related genes, six of which encode potentially functional glycoproteins. Amino acid sequence identity within this family ranges from 30-60%. These proteins are distantly related to MHC class I proteins, but they possess only the alpha 1 and alpha 2 Ig-like domains, and they have no capacity to bind peptide or interact with beta 2-microglobulin. Some family members, including ULBP-2, are anchored to the membrane via a GPI-linkage, whereas others have transmembrane domains. ULBP-2 and several other family members are known to bind to human NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on NK cells, NKT cells, gamma δ T cells, and CD8+ alpha beta T cells. Engagement of NKG2D results in the activation of cytolytic activity and/or cytokine production by these effector cells. The ULBPs are expressed on some tumor cells and have been implicated in tumor surveillance.

Bioinformatics

Uniprot	Q9BZM5.1
Product By Gene ID	80328
Alternate Names	ALCAN-alpha N2DL2 N2DL-2 NKG2D ligand 2 NKG2DL2 RAET1H RAET1HNKG2DL2 retinoic acid early transcript 1 H Retinoic acid early transcript 1H UL16 binding protein 2 UL16-binding protein 2 ULBP2 ULBP-2