About MIC / MHC Class I Chain-related Gene:
MHC class 1 is a polymorphic cell and encodes a stress-inducible protein chain to meditate intracellular antigens' recognition. MHC class 1, encoded as MICA, translates to a 383-amino acid polypeptide. It’s further known for its unique exon-intron preferential and organization expression.
MICA occurs on platelets but is not observed in red blood cells. The functionality of the gene is to display peptide fragments within the cytotoxic T cells.
MIC Molecular Genetics
The sequence of MICA chains suggests that it folds like Class I chains and might have a capacity to bind short ligands or peptides. Therefore, MICA is predicted to have a significant sequence of the genomic clone.
The MICB and MICA genes are polymorphic, and they display an unusual distribution of amino acids in their extracellular.
MHC Class I Chain-related Gene Expression
MICA expression can be unregulated by exposure of the cells to a DNA damaging condition or heat shock. In addition, the expression can get affected by infectious agents, such as diarrheagenic E-coli, human cytomegalovirus, and HPV (human papillomavirus.
In normal tissues, the expression of MICA is intracellularly, with a tiny fraction that appears on the same surface. However, there is no MICA’s expression in the central nervous system
MIC Functionality
Engagement of MICA-NKG2D leads to activation of NK cells and cytolytic responses against tumor cells and other stressed cells. Tumor cells are, however, able to avoid recognition of MHC Class I by the immune system.
Excess levels of MICA in the tumor cells are positively associated with poor prognosis and tumor size.
Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are associated with different variations in the MICA gene.