DAP12 (DNAX / KARAP / TYROBP) Antigen

The DAP12 antigen (DNAX activating protein of 12 kDa) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein which is also known as KARAP (killer cell activating receptor-associated protein) or TYROBP (tyrosine kinase binding protein). It is encoded by a gene located on the chromosome 19q13 and contains an intracytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). The DAP12 antigen associates with a large family of receptors in hematopoietic cells conferring to this antigen a broad range of intracellular signaling functions Interestingly, it has been shown to both potentiate or inhibit leukocytes activation. When associated with KIRs (stimulatory killer Ig-like receptors), the adaptor molecule DAP12 functions as an activation unit leading to the T cell activation. It has also been shown that the activation of the syk/ZAP70 tyrosine kinases by DAP12 plays a role in the stimulation of NK cells and T cells. On the contrary, the DAP12 association with other receptors such as Fc receptor γ-chain and CD3ζ may lead to the regulation of T cell immune response.