Immune activating receptor involved in self-nonself discrimination. In complex with KLRD1 on cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, recognizes non-classical major histocompatibility MHC-E loaded with signal sequence-derived peptides from non-classical MHC-G molecules, likely playing a role in the generation and effector functions of adaptive natural killer (NK) cells and in maternal-fetal tolerance during pregnancy. Regulates the effector functions of terminally differentiated cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, and in particular may play a role in adaptive NK cell response to viral infection. Upon MHC-E-peptide binding, transmits intracellular signals via the adapter protein TYROBP/DAP12, triggering the phosphorylation of proximal signaling molecules and cell activation.
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane
Natural killer cells.