Clone REAL452 is an antibody fragment derived from the full Ly-49D antibody molecule. It displays no binding to Fc receptors. The recombinantly engineered antibody fragments are multimerized to form the REAlease Complex to bind markers with high avidity.

Clone REAL452 recognizes Ly49D, a type II transmembrane NK-cell receptor belonging to the Ly49 family. Members of Ly49 family are homodimeric C-type lectin receptors, recognizing MHC class I molecules as ligands and include activating and inhibitory receptor molecules. Ly49D is a prototypic activating member of Ly49 family and in contrast to inhibitory members, lacks a cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM). A positive signal is initiated by interaction of Ly49D with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM) containing transmembrane adapter DAP12. Expression of Ly49D is strain restricted and is found on subsets of NK cells in C57BL/6, C3H/He and SJL but not in BALB/c, DBA/2, AKR and CBA/J mice.

The REAlease Kits consist of the respective fluorochrome-conjugated REAlease Complexes and the REAlease Support Kit for removal of the REAlease Complexes and optional relabeling with different fluorochrome-conjugated REAlease Complexes.