C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5) also known as Burkitt lymphoma receptor 1 (BLR1) is a G protein-coupled

G protein-coupled receptor

G protein-coupled receptors , also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptor, and G protein-linked receptors , comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal...

 seven transmembrane receptor for chemokine CXCL13

CXCL13

C-X-C motif chemokine 13 also known as B lymphocyte chemoattractant is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CXCL13 gene.- Function :CXCL13 is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family...

 (also known as BLC) and belongs to the CXC chemokine receptor

CXC chemokine receptors

CXC chemokine receptors are integral membrane proteins that specifically bind and respond to cytokines of the CXC chemokine family. They represent one subfamily of chemokine receptors, a large family of G protein-linked receptors that are known as seven transmembrane proteins since they span the...

 family. The BLR1 / CXCR5 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...

 is specifically expressed in Burkitt's lymphoma

Burkitt's lymphoma

Burkitt's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system...

 and lymphatic tissues, such as follicles in lymph nodes as well as in spleen

Spleen

The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...

. The gene plays an essential role in B cell

B cell

B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response . The principal functions of B cells are to make antibodies against antigens, perform the role of antigen-presenting cells and eventually develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction...

 migration.

CXCR5 has also recently been designated CD185 (cluster of differentiation

Cluster of differentiation

The cluster of differentiation is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules present on white blood cells, providing targets for immunophenotyping of cells...

185).

Further reading