Exons 1b-6 of the killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily K, member 1 (Klrk1) gene have been removed in these Klrk1-/- mice, abolishing gene expression. Klrk1 encodes NKG2D, a stimulatory immunoreceptor expressed by natural killer (NK) cells, activated CD8 T cells, certain CD4+ T cells, and subsets of gamma/delta and NK1.1+ T cells. NKG2D ligands are expressed during times of cellular stress, leaving cells susceptible to NK cell mediated lysis. As such, NKG2D has been associated with tumor surveillance, pathogen immunity, autoimmunity, and graft rejection. Homozygotes are viable and fertile.
In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.
