CCL21 Human Protein

This antimicrobial gene is one of several CC cytokine genes clustered on the p-arm of chromosome 9. Cytokines are a family of secreted proteins involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. The CC cytokines are proteins characterized by two adjacent cysteines. Similar to other chemokines the protein encoded by this gene inhibits hemopoiesis and stimulates chemotaxis. This protein is chemotactic in vitro for thymocytes and activated T cells, but not for B cells, macrophages, or neutrophils. The cytokine encoded by this gene may also play a role in mediating homing of lymphocytes to secondary lymphoid organs. It is a high affinity functional ligand for chemokine receptor 7 that is expressed on T and B lymphocytes and a known receptor for another member of the cytokine family (small inducible cytokine A19). [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2014]

CCL21: Inhibits hemopoiesis and stimulates chemotaxis. Chemotactic in vitro for thymocytes and activated T-cells, but not for B-cells, macrophages, or neutrophils. Shows preferential activity towards naive T-cells. May play a role in mediating homing of lymphocytes to secondary lymphoid organs. Belongs to the intercrine beta (chemokine CC) family.

Protein type: Chemokine; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 9p13.3

Cellular Component: extracellular region; extracellular space

Molecular Function: CCR chemokine receptor binding; CCR7 chemokine receptor binding; chemokine activity; chemokine receptor binding

Biological Process: cell maturation; cell-cell signaling; dendritic cell chemotaxis; establishment of T cell polarity; formation of immunological synapse; G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway; immune response; lymphocyte chemotaxis; monocyte chemotaxis; positive regulation of actin filament polymerization; positive regulation of cell adhesion mediated by integrin; positive regulation of cell-matrix adhesion; positive regulation of chemotaxis; positive regulation of dendritic cell antigen processing and presentation; positive regulation of filopodium formation; positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; positive regulation of JNK cascade; positive regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity; positive regulation of protein kinase activity; positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling cascade; positive regulation of pseudopodium formation; positive regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis; release of sequestered calcium ion into cytosol; ruffle organization and biogenesis; T cell costimulation