anti-NLRC5 (mouse), pAb (IN113)

Major histocompatibility complex class I molecules are expressed in all nucleated cells, whereas MHC class II molecules are mostly expressed in hematopoietic cells. The tight regulation of both MHC class I and class II molecules is crucial for eliciting an appropriate immune response. The MHC class II and class I molecule regulation is controlled by class II MHC transactivator (CIITA) and by NLR family caspase recruitment domain-containing 5 (NLRC5), respectively.

NOD-like receptor family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) is the largest member of the NOD-like receptors (NLRs) family. As all NLR-family members, NLRC5 shares a similar protein structure consisting of three main domains: a variable N-terminal protein-interaction domain, a central Nucleotide-Binding Domain (NBD) and a C-terminal stretch consisting of Leucine Rich Repeats (LRRs). NLRC5 contains between its CARD and NBD domain a bipartite-type nuclear localization signal (NLS), allowing NLRC5 transport towards the nucleus. The expression levels of NLRC5 and MHC class I are highly correlated, with more NLRC5 resulting in more MHC class I expression and increased MHC class I cell surface levels. NLRC5 is highly expressed in hematopoietic cells and tissues such as the spleen, lymph node, thymus, intestine, lung and bone marrow. NLRC5 is inducible by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). NLRC5 is decreased in tumor tissues of most cancer types. Lower NLRC5 expression is associated with reduced survival in melanoma, rectal, bladder, uterine, cervical and head/neck cancer.