Anti-MR1

MAIT (mucosal-associated invariant T-cells) lymphocytes represent a small population of T-cells primarily found in the gut. The protein encoded by this gene is an antigen-presenting molecule that presents metabolites of microbial vitamin B to MAITs. This presentation may activate the MAITs to regulate the amounts of specific types of bacteria in the gut. Several transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene, and a pseudogene of it has been detected about 36 kbp upstream on the same chromosome. Protein function: Antigen-presenting molecule specialized in presenting microbial vitamin B metabolites. Involved in the development and expansion of a small population of T-cells expressing an invariant T- cell receptor alpha chain called mucosal-associated invariant T-cells (MAIT). MAIT lymphocytes are preferentially located in the gut lamina propria and therefore may be involved in monitoring commensal flora or serve as a distress signal. Expression and MAIT cell recognition seem to be ligand-dependent. [The UniProt Consortium]