After interaction with its ligand HLA-E, which is expressed on normal cells, the C-type lectin inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A suppresses activation signaling processes. CD94/NKG2A receptors continuously recycle from the cell surface through endosomal compartments and back again in a process that requires energy and the cytoskeleton. This steady state process appears to be largely unaffected by exposure to ligand.