Natural killer group 2, member D receptor (NKG2D)

The **Natural killer group 2, member D receptor (NKG2D)** is an activating immunoreceptor expressed on the surface of NK cells, some CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, and NKT cells in humans and mice[1][2][3][4][5][6]. It forms a homodimer and signals via the adaptor protein DAP10 in humans. NKG2D recognizes numerous stress-induced ligands, including MICA, MICB, and ULBP family molecules, which are upregulated in response to cellular stress, infection, or transformation. This recognition enables immune surveillance by triggering cytotoxicity and cytokine production, contributing to immunity against cancers and infections. Therapies targeting the NKG2D/NKG2D ligand axis are under investigation for cancer and infectious diseases, but care must be taken due to risks of immune dysregulation and potential toxicity from widespread ligand expression[3][4][6]. The submitted target, “NKG2D ligand-mediated delivery,” is not a standard molecular name and refers instead to therapeutic strategies (such as the use of NKG2D ligands to direct effector cells), not to a single canonical molecule or receptor. The correct standardized target for structured databases should be the **NKG2D receptor**, not a process or delivery system.

Other names

Killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily K, member 1KLRK1CD314

Activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes upon ligand binding Co-stimulation of T cell receptor signaling Induction of cell death in ligand-expressing target cells