Human Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 (NCR3) Protein

Background

Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 (NCR3), also known as NKp30, is a critical receptor for natural killer (NK) cell activation and functions as part of the body’s innate immune response. NK cells are lymphocytes specialized in identifying and killing abnormal cells, such as those infected by viruses or transformed into cancer cells. Unlike T cells and B cells, which rely on antigen specificity, NK cells use a variety of activating receptors, including NCR3, to recognize stressed or infected cells. NCR3, part of the NCR family (alongside NCR1 and NCR2), plays a vital role in immune surveillance by mediating NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production in response to cellular stress signals. NCR3’s activation allows NK cells to promptly respond to potential threats without prior sensitization. NCR3 is distinct among the NCRs in its broader expression across both innate and adaptive immune cells, and its activity has been shown to influence adaptive immunity. NCR3 is found not only on NK cells but also on certain subtypes of T cells and other immune cells in specific conditions, amplifying its potential for immune modulation.