Anti-MICA Antibody Picoband® Fluoro594 Conjugated

This gene encodes the highly polymorphic major histocompatability complex class I chain-related protein A. The protein product is expressed on the cell surface, although unlike canonical class I molecules it does not seem to associate with beta-2-microglobulin. It is a ligand for the NKG2-D type II integral membrane protein receptor. And the protein functions as a stress-induced antigen that is broadly recognized by intestinal epithelial gamma delta T cells. Variations in this gene have been associated with susceptibility to psoriasis 1 and psoriatic arthritis, and the shedding of MICA-related antibodies and ligands is involved in the progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to multiple myeloma. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants.

Widely expressed with the exception of the central nervous system where it is absent. Expressed predominantly in gastric epithelium and also in monocytes, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and in the outer layer of Hassal's corpuscles within the medulla of normal thymus. In skin, expressed mainly in the keratin layers, basal cells, ducts and follicles. Also expressed in many, but not all, epithelial tumors of lung, breast, kidney, ovary, prostate and colon. In thyomas, overexpressed in cortical and medullar epithelial cells. Tumors expressing MICA display increased levels of gamma delta T-cells. .

Seems to have no role in antigen presentation. Acts as a stress-induced self-antigen that is recognized by gamma delta T- cells. Ligand for the KLRK1/NKG2D receptor. Binding to KLRK1 leads to cell lysis. .

1. Bahram S, Bresnahan M, Geraghty DE, Spies T (Aug 1994) . A second lineage of mammalian major histocompatibility complex class I genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 91 (14) : 6259–63. 2. Entrez Gene: MICA MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A. 3. González, S et al. (2008) . NKG2D ligands: key targets of the immune response. Trends in Immunology 29 (8) .

Cell membrane ; Single- pass type I membrane protein . Cytoplasm . Expressed on the cell surface in gastric epithelium, endothelial cells and fibroblasts and in the cytoplasm in keratinocytes and monocytes. Infection with human adenovirus 5 suppresses cell surface expression due to the adenoviral E3-19K protein which causes retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. .