Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor subfamily A member 3 (LILR-A3) also known as CD85 antigen-like family member E (CD85e), immunoglobulin-like transcript 6 (ILT-6), and leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor 4 (LIR-4) is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''LILRA3''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
located within the
leukocyte receptor complex on chromosome 19q13.4. Unlike many of its family, LILRA3 lacks a transmembrane domain. The function of LILRA3 is currently unknown; however, it is highly homologous to other LILR genes,
and can bind
human leukocyte antigen
The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system or complex is a complex of genes on chromosome 6 in humans which encode cell-surface proteins responsible for the regulation of the immune system. The HLA system is also known as the human version of th ...
(HLA) class I. Therefore, if secreted, the LILRA3 might impair interactions of membrane-bound LILRs (such as
LILRB1
Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor subfamily B member 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''LILRB1'' gene.
Function
This gene is a member of the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LIR) family, which is found in a gene clu ...
, an inhibitory receptor expressed on effector and memory
CD8 T cells) with their HLA ligands, thus modulating immune reactions and influencing susceptibility to disease.
Like the closely related LILRA1, LILRA3 binds to both normal and 'unfolded' free heavy chains of HLA class I, with a preference for free heavy chains of HLA-C alleles
See also
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Cluster of differentiation
The cluster of differentiation (also known as cluster of designation or classification determinant and often abbreviated as CD) is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules providing targets for immunophen ...
References
Further reading
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External links
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Clusters of differentiation
Immunoglobulin superfamily
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