Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) of the African-origin sabaeus monkey: evidence for recombination events in the evolution of KIR.

Killer cell immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptors (KIR) were characterized in the West African sabaeus monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) to elucidate the mechanism by which diversity evolves in this family of molecules. Complementary DNA encoding four forms of KIR molecules, including KIR3DL, KIR2DL4, KIR2DL5, and KIR3DH forms, were identified in two unrelated sabaeus monkeys. A novel hybrid form showing features found in both KIR2DL5 and KIR3DH was also identified.