Natural killer cell p44-related protein (NCR2) (NKp44)

Natural killer cell p44-related protein (NKp44), encoded by the NCR2 gene, is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein and a member of the natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family. It is primarily expressed on activated natural killer (NK) cells and plays a critical role in the innate immune response by triggering cytotoxicity and cytokine production upon binding to specific ligands on transformed or infected cells (UniProt: O95944). In the context of haNK cells—a high-affinity, engineered NK cell line—NKp44 serves as a key activating receptor that recognizes tumor-associated ligands, such as a specific splice variant of MLL5 or BAG6, facilitating the targeted destruction of cancer cells (PubMed: 24516117). Upon ligand binding, NKp44 signals through the ITAM-containing adapter protein DAP12, leading to the release of perforin and granzymes (PubMed: 10490976). This receptor is a significant focus in oncology for the development of cell-based therapies and NK cell engagers designed to amplify the immune system's anti-tumor activity. Therapeutic strategies often combine haNK cells with IL-15 superagonists like N-803 to enhance the persistence and activation of these cells within the tumor microenvironment (ImmunityBio, 2024).

Other names

CD336NCR2LY95Natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 2NK-p44

Activation of natural killer cell cytotoxicity and cytokine release through ITAM-containing adapter proteins like DAP12 upon binding to tumor-associated ligands.