NK Cytotoxic Signaling
Gene co-expression module in Natural Killer cells
| Category | Cytotoxicity |
|---|---|
| Genes | 12 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 8 of 12 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
FYN is a Src-family kinase essential for NK cell activating receptor signaling. CBLB is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that negatively regulates NK cell activation threshold. MAPK1 (ERK2) is a downstream kinase in NK activation cascades. SYTL3 (synaptotagmin-like 3) regulates lytic granule docking and exocytosis. SLA2 is a signaling adaptor in lymphocyte activation. RAPGEF1 activates Rap1 downstream of TCR/NK receptor signaling. SSH2 dephosphorylates cofilin to drive actin polymerization at the immune synapse. BCL2L11 (BIM) is a pro-apoptotic regulator modulating NK cell survival. The module is significantly upregulated in CD inflammation and reduced with treatment, consistent with active NK cytotoxic signaling. Neighbor M21 contains septins that support lytic granule polarization, reinforcing a cytotoxicity theme.
Genes
BCL2L11, CBLB, CRYBG1, DAZAP2, FYN, GPATCH8, HNRNPUL1, MAPK1, RAPGEF1, SLA2, SSH2, SYTL3
Most correlated modules
- NK/ILC Differentiation · correlation 0.74
- Gut-Homing NK · correlation 0.59
- Inflammatory Stress Response · correlation 0.58
- Glucocorticoid Response · correlation 0.54
- NK Checkpoint Receptors · correlation 0.54
- Tissue-Resident NK · correlation 0.49
- Housekeeping Mixed · correlation 0.49
- Septin Cytoskeletal Assembly · correlation 0.39
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.