ULBP1

ULBP1 is UL16 binding protein 1, also known as NKG2DL1, RAET1I, ALCAN-beta. It is a ligand of natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D), an immune system-activating receptor on NK cells and T cells. Binding of ULBP1 to NKG2D leads to activation of several signal transduction pathways, including those of JAK2, STAT5, ERK and PI3K kinase/Akt. In cytomegalovirus-infected cells, ULBP1 binds the UL16 glycoprotein and is prevented from activating the immune system.