B2-Microglobulin Protein

HLA-G belongs to the HLA class I heavy chain paralogues. This class I molecule is a heterodimer consisting of a heavy chain and a light chain (beta-2 microglobulin). The heavy chain is anchored in the membrane. HLA-G is expressed on fetal derived placental cells. The heavy chain is approximately 45 kDa and its gene contains 8 exons. Exon one encodes the leader peptide, exons 2 and 3 encode the alpha1 and alpha2 domain, which both bind the peptide, exon 4 encodes the alpha3 domain, exon 5 encodes the transmembrane region, and exon 6 encodes the cytoplasmic tail. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

HLA-G: Involved in the presentation of foreign antigens to the immune system. Plays a role in maternal tolerance of the fetus by mediating protection from the deleterious effects of natural killer cells, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, macrophages and mononuclear cells. Belongs to the MHC class I family.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 6p21.3

Cellular Component: Golgi membrane; phagocytic vesicle membrane; membrane; early endosome membrane; plasma membrane; MHC class I protein complex

Molecular Function: protein homodimerization activity; peptide antigen binding; receptor binding

Biological Process: immune response-inhibiting cell surface receptor signaling pathway; regulation of immune response; positive regulation of regulatory T cell differentiation; positive regulation of T cell mediated cytotoxicity; positive regulation of interleukin-12 production; antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class I, TAP-independent; cytokine and chemokine mediated signaling pathway; negative regulation of immune response; antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class I, TAP-dependent; positive regulation of tolerance induction; antigen processing and presentation of peptide antigen via MHC class I; negative regulation of T cell proliferation; cellular defense response; antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class I; positive regulation of T cell tolerance induction

Disease: Asthma, Susceptibility To