Cell membrane receptor of natural killer/NK cells that is activated by binding of extracellular ligands including BAG6 and NCR3LG1. Stimulates NK cells cytotoxicity toward neighboring cells producing these ligands. It controls, for instance, NK cells cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Engagement of NCR3 by BAG6 also promotes myeloid dendritic cells (DC) maturation, both through killing DCs that did not acquire a mature phenotype, and inducing the release by NK cells of TNFA and IFNG which promote DC maturation. Homodimer in the unliganted form. Interacts with CD3Z. Interacts with and is activated by binding to NCR3LG1. Interacts with and is activated by binding to BAG6. Selectively expressed by all resting and activated NK cells and weakly expressed in spleen. A genetic variation in NCR3 is associated with mild malaria susceptibility [MIM:609148]. Belongs to the natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family.