Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody to MICA

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. 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. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2014]