Alexa Fluor^® 488 Mouse Anti-Human CD159a Antibody (S-2919)

CD159a (also known as NKG2A or KLRC1) is a 40 kDa (under reducing conditions) or 75 kDa (under non-reducing conditions) type II transmembrane protein belonging to the C-type lectin family (Ca²⁺-dependent). It forms a disulfide-linked heterodimer with CD94 (CD94/NKG2A), functioning as an inhibitory receptor on NK cells that recognizes MHC class I molecules (such as HLA-E) with broader specificity compared to KIR (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors). The intracellular domain of CD159a contains two ITIM motifs (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs), which transmit inhibitory signals to regulate the activity of NK cells and certain subsets of T cells, preventing attacks on healthy tissues. The protein is primarily expressed in NK cells, NKT cells, and activated CD8⁺ T cells. By binding to CD94, it modulates immune responses, playing a critical role in transplantation immunity and tumor immunity. Additionally, dysregulated expression of CD159a is associated with immune tolerance and disease states, making it a potential therapeutic target for immunosuppressive drug development.