CXCR7
Encyclopedia
C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR-7) is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the CXCR7 gene
.
This gene encodes a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family. This protein was earlier thought to be a receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and was considered to be an orphan receptor. It is now classified as a chemokine receptor
able to bind the chemokines CXCL12/SDF-1 and CXCL11
. The protein is also a coreceptor for human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Translocations involving this gene and HMGA2 on chromosome 12 have been observed in lipomas. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein isoform have been found for this gene. Whereas some reports claim that the receptor induces signaling following ligand binding, recent findings in zebrafish suggest that CXCR7 functions primarily by sequestering the chemokine CXCL12.
However, another recent study has provided evidence that ligand binding to CXCR7 activates MAP kinases through Beta-arrestins, and thus has functions beyond ligand sequestration.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the CXCR7 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
This gene encodes a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family. This protein was earlier thought to be a receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and was considered to be an orphan receptor. It is now classified as a chemokine receptor
Chemokine receptor
Chemokine receptors are cytokine receptors found on the surface of certain cells, which interact with a type of cytokine called a chemokine. There have been 19 distinct chemokine receptors described in mammals...
able to bind the chemokines CXCL12/SDF-1 and CXCL11
CXCL11
Chemokine ligand 11 is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also called Interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant and Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 9...
. The protein is also a coreceptor for human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Translocations involving this gene and HMGA2 on chromosome 12 have been observed in lipomas. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein isoform have been found for this gene. Whereas some reports claim that the receptor induces signaling following ligand binding, recent findings in zebrafish suggest that CXCR7 functions primarily by sequestering the chemokine CXCL12.
However, another recent study has provided evidence that ligand binding to CXCR7 activates MAP kinases through Beta-arrestins, and thus has functions beyond ligand sequestration.