NKG2D, also known as CD314, is an immune receptor which consists of two disulphide-linked type II transmembrane proteins with short intracellular proteins uncapable to transduce signals. In order to transduce signals, NKG2D needs adaptor proteins and it uses two adaptor proteins, DAP10 and DAP12. These two adaptor proteins associate as homodimers to NKG2D- therefore the entire receptor complex appears as a hexamer. NKG2D can send co-stimulatory signals to activate CD8 T cells. NKG2D also plays an important role in viral control. Cellular stress can induce ligands for NKG2D which results in the cell susceptible to NK cell-mediated lysis.