| Tissue Specificity | Expressed in resting B cells (at protein level). Expressed in secondary lymphoid organs rich in B and T cells such as the tonsils, spleen, and thymus (at protein level). Expressed in the endothelial cells of the tonsils. Expressed on activated lymphoid cells including B cells, NK cells, CD4+ T cells and memory T cells (at protein level). Expressed in motor neurons of spinal cord. |
| Post Translational Modifications | N-glycosylated. |
| Function | Non-classical major histocompatibility class Ib molecule postulated to play a role in immune surveillance, immune tolerance and inflammation. Functions in two forms, as a heterotrimeric complex with B2M/beta-2 microglobulin and a peptide (peptide-bound HLA-F-B2M) and as an open conformer (OC) devoid of peptide and B2M (peptide-free OC). In complex with B2M, presents non-canonical self-peptides carrying post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylated self-peptides. Peptide-bound HLA-F-B2M acts as a ligand for LILRB1 inhibitory receptor, a major player in maternal-fetal tolerance. Peptide-free OC acts as a ligand for KIR3DS1 and KIR3DL2 receptors. Upon interaction with activating KIR3DS1 receptor on NK cells, triggers NK cell degranulation and anti-viral cytokine production. Through interaction with KIR3DL2 receptor, inhibits NK and T cell effector functions. May interact with other MHC class I OCs to cross-present exogenous viral, tumor or minor histompatibility antigens to cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, triggering effector and memory responses. May play a role in inflammatory responses in the peripheral nervous system. Through interaction with KIR3DL2, may protect motor neurons from astrocyte-induced toxicity. |
| Protein Name | Hla Class I Histocompatibility Antigen - Alpha Chain FCda12Hla F AntigenLeukocyte Antigen FMhc Class I Antigen F |
| Database Links | Reactome: R-HSA-1236974Reactome: R-HSA-1236977Reactome: R-HSA-198933Reactome: R-HSA-877300Reactome: R-HSA-909733Reactome: R-HSA-9705671Reactome: R-HSA-983170 |
| Cellular Localisation | Cell MembraneSingle-Pass Type I Membrane ProteinEarly Endosome MembraneLysosome MembraneFor Cross-Presentation Transits From The Cell Surface Through Endosomal Pathway To LysosomesWhere The Peptide Is Generated From Internalized Exogenous Antigen |
| Alternative Protein Names | Hla Class I Histocompatibility Antigen - Alpha Chain F proteinCda12 proteinHla F Antigen proteinLeukocyte Antigen F proteinMhc Class I Antigen F proteinHLA-F proteinHLA-5.4 proteinHLAF protein |
Information sourced from Uniprot.org
