Background
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],
Function
cell activation, activation of innate immune response, innate immune response activating cell surface receptor signaling pathway, stimulatory C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway, immune effector process, activation of immune response, response to tumor cell, immune response to tumor cell, immune response-activating cell surface receptor signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation of peptide antigen via MHC class I, positive regulation of immune system process, immune response-activating signal transduction, innate immune response-activating signal transduction, immune response-regulating signal transduction, immune response-regulating cell surface receptor signaling pathway, defense response, immune response, response to DNA damage stimulus, cell surface receptor linked signal transduction, cell death, response to temperature stimulus, response to heat, response to virus,
