I-TAC Active Protein

Chemokines are a group of small (approximately 8 to 14 kD), mostly basic, structurally related molecules that regulate cell trafficking of various types of leukocytes through interactions with a subset of 7-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptors. Chemokines also play fundamental roles in the development, homeostasis, and function of the immune system, and they have effects on cells of the central nervous system as well as on endothelial cells involved in angiogenesis or angiostasis. Chemokines are divided into 2 major subfamilies, CXC and CC. This antimicrobial gene is a CXC member of the chemokine superfamily. Its encoded protein induces a chemotactic response in activated T-cells and is the dominant ligand for CXC receptor-3. The gene encoding this protein contains 4 exons and at least three polyadenylation signals which might reflect cell-specific regulation of expression. IFN-gamma is a potent inducer of transcription of this gene. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2014]

CXCL11: Chemotactic for interleukin-activated T-cells but not unstimulated T-cells, neutrophils or monocytes. Induces calcium release in activated T-cells. Binds to CXCR3. May play an important role in CNS diseases which involve T-cell recruitment. May play a role in skin immune responses. Belongs to the intercrine alpha (chemokine CxC) family.

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

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q21.2

Cellular Component: extracellular space; extracellular region

Molecular Function: heparin binding; protein binding; CXCR3 chemokine receptor binding; chemokine activity

Biological Process: G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway; cell-cell signaling; positive regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis; response to lipopolysaccharide; immune response; positive regulation of cAMP metabolic process; positive regulation of release of sequestered calcium ion into cytosol; signal transduction; inflammatory response; chemotaxis; regulation of cell proliferation