MAFA
Encyclopedia
MAFA is a type II membranal glycoprotein, first identified on the surface of rat mucosal-type mast cells of the RBL-2H3 line. More recently, human and mouse homologues of MAFA have been discovered yet also (or only) expressed by NK
and T-cells.
The intracellular domain of MAFA contains a single immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif
(ITIM), which classifies MAFA as a member of an inhibitory receptor superfamily. The inhibitory capacity of MAFA is best defined in mast cells, where MAFA keeps in check the antigen
-induced (i.e. Fc epsilon RI-induced) secretion of inflammatory mediators.
NK
NK may refer to:*Nagorno-Karabakh*Natural killer cell*Neturei Karta, a group of anti-zionist orthodox Jews*New Kingdom*North Korea*Northrup-King Seed Company*Nippon Kaiji Kyokai*Nordiska Kompaniet, a department store in Stockholm, Sweden...
and T-cells.
The intracellular domain of MAFA contains a single immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif
Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif
An immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif , is a conserved sequence of amino acids that is found in the cytoplasmic tails of many inhibitory receptors of the immune system...
(ITIM), which classifies MAFA as a member of an inhibitory receptor superfamily. The inhibitory capacity of MAFA is best defined in mast cells, where MAFA keeps in check the antigen
Antigen
An antigen is a foreign molecule that, when introduced into the body, triggers the production of an antibody by the immune system. The immune system will then kill or neutralize the antigen that is recognized as a foreign and potentially harmful invader. These invaders can be molecules such as...
-induced (i.e. Fc epsilon RI-induced) secretion of inflammatory mediators.