This gene encodes a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that is the highly polymorphic Kell blood group antigen. The Kell glycoprotein links via a single disulfide bond to the XK membrane protein that carries the Kx antigen. The encoded protein contains sequence and structural similarity to members of the neprilysin (M13) family of zinc endopeptidases. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],cofactor:Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit.,function:Zinc endopeptidase with endothelin-3-converting enzyme activity.,online information:Blood group antigen gene mutation database,polymorphism:KEL is responsible for the Kell blood group system. The molecular basis of the K=KEL1/k=KEL2 blood group antigens is a single variation in position 193, Thr-193 corresponds to KEL2 and Met-193 to KEL1. The molecular basis of the Kpa=KEL3/Kpb=KEL4/Kpc=KEL21 blood group antigens is a single variation in position 281, Arg-281 corresponds to KEL4, Trp-281 to KEL3 and Gln-281 to KEL21. The molecular basis of the Jsa=KEL6/Jsb=KEL7 blood group antigens is a single variation in position 597, Leu-597 corresponds to KEL7 and Pro-597 to KEL6. The molecular basis of the KEL11/KEL17 blood group antigens is a single variation in position 302, Val-302 corresponds to KEL11 and Ala-302 to KEL17. The molecular basis of the KEL14/KEL24 blood group antigens is a single variation in position 180, Arg-180 corresponds to KEL14 and Pro-180 to KEL24.,similarity:Belongs to the peptidase M13 family.,subcellular location:Spans the erythrocyte membrane, and is attached to the underlying cytoskeleton.,subunit:Heterodimer with XK, disulfide-linked.,
