Control of cell signaling via SHP-1 is thought to occur through a balance between PILRalpha-mediated inhibition and PILRbeta-mediated activation. These paired immunoglobulin-like receptor genes are located in a tandem head-to-tail orientation on chromosome 7. PILRB is the non-ITIM-bearing member of the receptor pair, which has a truncated cytoplasmic tail relative to its ITIM-bearing partner and functions in the activating role. There are three named isoforms produced by alternative splicing.