ILC1/NK Cytotoxic
Gene co-expression module in Natural Killer cells
| Category | Cytotoxicity |
|---|---|
| Genes | 13 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 5 of 13 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
GZMK (Granzyme K) is a serine protease expressed by cytotoxic NK and T cells, particularly tissue-resident and transitional NK cells. KLRB1 (CD161/NKR-P1B) is an NK cell surface receptor marking innate-like lymphocytes including ILC1s and NK cells in the gut. PDCD4 is a tumor suppressor and translational repressor involved in apoptosis regulation. STK17A is a DAPK-family kinase involved in apoptosis. NCF1 (p47-phox) is a NADPH oxidase component involved in ROS production. CASK is a MAGUK scaffold protein. ITM2C is involved in amyloid precursor processing. CLDND1 is a claudin domain-containing protein. A1BG is a plasma protein of uncertain function. STRBP is an RNA-binding protein. ZBTB20 is a transcription factor. PPP1R14B is a protein phosphatase inhibitor. The combination of GZMK and KLRB1 strongly marks an ILC1/NK cell cytotoxic subset in the gut. GZMK-expressing NK cells are a well-described transitional/tissue NK population. The CD inflammation upregulation supports an activated intestinal NK/ILC1 state.
Genes
A1BG, CASK, CLDND1, EIF3G, GZMK, ITM2C, KLRB1, NCF1, PDCD4, PPP1R14B, STK17A, STRBP, ZBTB20
Most correlated modules
- NK Inflammatory Activation · correlation 0.74
- Cellular Homeostasis · correlation 0.73
- Mature NK Identity · correlation 0.71
- NK Homeostatic Survival · correlation 0.69
- NK Cytoskeletal Activation · correlation 0.64
- Translation Elongation · correlation 0.63
- Hypoxia Response · correlation 0.62
Module annotations were drafted by a large language model from the module's genes, then reviewed and approved by a domain expert. See sources & licences.