Signaling by the human C-type lectin-like receptor, natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptor NKR-P1, has a critical role in many immune-related diseases and cancer. C-type lectin-like receptors have weak affinities to their ligands; therefore, setting up a comprehensive model of NKR-P1-LLT1 interactions that considers the natural state of the receptor on the cell surface is necessary to understand its functions. Here we report the crystal structures of the NKR-P1 and NKR-P1:LLT1 complexes, which provides evidence that NKR-P1 forms homodimers in an unexpected arrangement to enable LLT1 binding in two modes, bridging two LLT1 molecules. These interaction clusters are suggestive of an inhibitory immune synapse. By observing the formation of these clusters in solution using SEC-SAXS analysis, by dSTORM super-resolution microscopy on the cell surface, and by following their role in receptor signaling with freshly isolated NK cells, we show that only the ligation of both LLT1 binding interfaces leads to effective NKR-P1 inhibitory signaling. In summary, our findings collectively support a model of NKR-P1:LLT1 clustering, which allows the interacting proteins to overcome weak ligand-receptor affinity and to trigger signal transduction upon cellular contact in the immune synapse.

• MeSH
• Antigens, Surface MeSH
• Killer Cells, Natural * MeSH
• X-Ray Diffraction MeSH
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B MeSH
• Lectins, C-Type MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Scattering, Small Angle MeSH
• Receptors, Cell Surface * MeSH
• Cluster Analysis MeSH
• Synapses MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antigens, Surface MeSH
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B MeSH
• Lectins, C-Type MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Receptors, Cell Surface * MeSH

The C-type lectin-like receptors include the Nkrp1 protein family that regulates the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. Rat Nkrp1a was reported to bind monosaccharide moieties in a Ca2+-dependent manner in preference order of GalNac > GlcNAc >> Fuc >> Gal > Man. These findings established for rat Nkrp1a have been extrapolated to all additional Nkrp1 receptors and have been supported by numerous studies over the past two decades. However, since 1996 there has been controversy and another article showed lack of interactions with saccharides in 1999. Nevertheless, several high affinity saccharide ligands were synthesized in order to utilize their potential in antitumor therapy. Subsequently, protein ligands were introduced as specific binders for Nkrp1 proteins and three dimensional models of receptor/protein ligand interaction were derived from crystallographic data. Finally, for at least some members of the NK cell C-type lectin-like proteins, the "sweet story" was impaired by two reports in recent years. It has been shown that the rat Nkrp1a and CD69 do not bind saccharide ligands such as GlcNAc, GalNAc, chitotetraose and saccharide derivatives (GlcNAc-PAMAM) do not directly and specifically influence cytotoxic activity of NK cells as it was previously described.

• MeSH
• Killer Cells, Natural * chemistry   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Antigens, CD * chemistry   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte * chemistry   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B * chemistry   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Lectins, C-Type * chemistry   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Oligosaccharides * chemistry   immunology   metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Structure, Tertiary MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antigens, CD * MeSH
• CD69 antigen MeSH Browser
• Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte * MeSH
• KLRB1 protein, human MeSH Browser
• NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B * MeSH
• Lectins, C-Type * MeSH
• Oligosaccharides * MeSH