RAET1L [SEP] chromosome
RAET1L
Retinoic acid early transcript 1L (RAET1L) is a cell surface glycoprotein encoded by "RAET1L" gene located on the chromosome 6. RAET1L is related to MHC class I molecules, but its gene maps outside the MHC locus. RAET1L is composed of the α1α2 domain and is linked to the cell membrane by the GPI anchor. It functions as a stress-induced ligand for NKG2D receptor. Its expression is, for example, triggered in course of HCMV infection, but HCMV alters its function. HCMV-encoded UL16
proteins: MICs (MICA, MICB) and ULBPs (ULBP1, ULBP2, ULBP3, ULBP4, RAET1G, RAET1L).
Other receptors able to bind induced-self antigens are NKG2C, NKG2E, NKG2F (CD94) or some NCRs (e.g. NKp 46 ).
Tumor targeting.
Practical use of the knowledge of induced-self antigens is in targeting tumors for immune response. As tumors are very often capable of escaping the immune system by many ways, upregulation of specific ligands on the tumor cells could