DAP12: Proteins and Enzymes

DAP12, also known as TYROBP and KARAP, is a transmembrane protein that functions as a signal transduction adaptor molecule. DAP12 is expressed as a disulfide-linked homodimer that associates with a variety of receptors on NK and myeloid cells. Complex formation is mediated by intramembrane ionic interaction between an aspartic acid residue in DAP12 and a lysine residue in the partnered receptor. Ligation of these receptors can trigger either cell activation or inhibition through the ITAM sequence in DAP12, resulting in activation of Src family tyrosine kinases. Human and mouse DAP12 share 73% amino acid sequence identity.