CD336/NCR2

CD336 is NKp44, encoded by NCR2, an activating natural cytotoxicity receptor that distinguishes activated NK cells from resting ones and is additionally found on a subset of innate lymphoid cells. Its extracellular region comprises a V-set Ig-like domain plus a stalk, and the transmembrane lysine couples the receptor to the ITAM-bearing adaptor DAP12 for activating signaling. NKp44 recognizes viral hemagglutinins, contributing to influenza antiviral responses, and has been reported to interact with tumor-associated ligands and with PD-1 on activated T cells, an interaction implicated in immunosuppression. CD336 expression is a standard activation marker in NK cell monitoring.