protein_function: Ligand for the KLRK1,NKG2D receptor, together with atleast ULBP1 and ULBP3. ULBPs activate multiple signaling pathwaysin primary NK cells, resulting in the production of cytokines andchemokines. Binding of ULBPs ligands to KLRK1,NKG2D inducescalcium mobilization and activation of the JAK2, STAT5, ERK andPI3K kinase,Akt signal transduction pathway. In CMV infectedcells, interacts with soluble CMV glycoprotein UL16. Theinteraction with UL16 blocked the interaction with the KLRK1,NKG2Dreceptor, providing a mechanism by which CMV infected cells mightescape the immune system. UL16 also causes ULBP2 to be retained inthe ER and cis-Golgi apparatus so that it does not reach the cellsurface..
UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2) is a cell surface glycoprotein encoded by ULBP2 gene located on the chromosome 6. This gene encodes a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecule that binds to the NKG2D receptor on natural killer (NK) cells to trigger release of multiple cytokines and chemokines that in turn contribute to the recruitment and activation of NK cells. The encoded protein undergoes further processing to generate the mature protein that is either anchored to membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol moiety, or secreted. Many malignant cells secrete the encoded protein to evade immunosurveillance by NK cells.