Inhibitory receptor postulated to negatively regulate immune and non-immune functions (, ). Upon phosphorylation, recruits SH2 domain-containing PTPN6 and PTPN11 phosphatases to its ITIM motif and antagonizes activation signals (, ). Although it inhibits KLRK1/NKG2D-mediated signaling, it does not bind known ligands of KLRK1/NKG2D and therefore is not its inhibitory counterpart . May limit activation of myeloid cell subsets in response to infection or tissue inflammation . May protect target cells against natural killer cell-mediated lysis . May negatively regulate cell cycle and differentiation of melanocytes via inactivation of STAT3 .
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane
Detected in colon, heart, kidney, liver, lung, mammary gland, ovary, spleen and testis . Expressed in melanocytes (at protein level) .