2B4 is constitutively associated with linker for the activation of T cells in glycolipid-enriched microdomains: properties required for 2B4 lytic function.

2B4 is a receptor belonging to the Ig superfamily and is found on all murine NK cells as well as a small subset of T cells. Previous studies have found that cross-linking of the 2B4 receptor results in both increased cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma secretion. We have discovered that 2B4 from transfected NK and T cell lines, as well as from primary murine cells, coimmunoprecipitates with the phosphoprotein linker for the activation of T cells (LAT), which is essential for TCR-mediated signaling.

Molecular characterization of the rat NK cell receptor 2B4.

2B4 (CD244) is a cell surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily involved in the regulation of natural killer and T lymphocyte function. It is the high affinity counter-receptor for CD48. In mouse and human NK cells, crosslinking of 2B4 with a specific monoclonal antibody or with CD48 can trigger cell-mediated cytotoxicity, IFN-gamma secretion, phosphoinositol turnover and NK cell invasiveness.