THE NATURAL-KILLER GENE-COMPLEX - A GENETIC-BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING NATURAL-KILLER-CELL FUNCTION AND INNATE IMMUNITY

The natural killer gene complex encodes proteins, some of which are st ructurally unrelated, that impact on NK-cell function. Detailed analys es have indicated that these molecules are involved in NK-cell recogni tion, activation, and inhibition. The importance of this genomic regio n is highlighted by studies indicating that NKC-associated genes signi ficantly influence NK cell-mediated innate host defense against life-t hreatening pathogens and that the NKC is conserved among diverse speci es. Thus, further elucidation of the NKC and its gene products will pr ovide a genetic basis for understanding innate immunity and NK-cell ac tivity at the molecular level.