NKG2D ligands such as MHC class I-related chain A and B (MICA/B) and UL-16 binding proteins (ULBPs) are upregulated by various stressors, including heat shock, ionizing radiation, anti-tumor drugs, oxidative stress, and viral infections; they also show various expression patterns in different cancer cells15, 16, 17, 18. The gene discussed is KLRK1; the disease is cancer.