Exodus-2 (CCL21) Human Active 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: Secreted, signal peptide; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Secreted; Chemokine

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 9p13

Cellular Component: extracellular space; extracellular region

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

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