Cutting edge: Signal-regulatory protein β1 is a DAP12-associated activating receptor expressed in myeloid cells

Signal-regulatory proteins (SIRPs) are cell-surface glycoproteins expressed on myeloid and neural cells that have been shown to recruit SH2 domain-containing protein phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) and SHP-2 and to regulate receptor tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling. One SIRP of unknown function, designated SIRPβ1, contains a short cytoplasmic domain that lacks sequence motifs capable of recruiting SHP-1 and SHP-2. Using a SIRP-specific mAb, we show that SIRPβ1 is expressed in monocytes and dendritic cells and associates with the signal transduction molecule DAP12. SIRPβ1/DAP12 complex formation was required for efficient cell-surface expression of SIRPβ1. Stimulation of this complex induced tyrosine phosphorylation, mitogen- activated protein kinase activation, and cellular activation. Thus, SIRPβ1 is a new DAP12-associated receptor involved in the activation of myeloid cells.