XCL2
Encyclopedia
Chemokine ligand 2 (XCL2) is a small cytokine
belonging to the XC chemokine
family that is highly related to another chemokine called XCL1
. It is predominantly expressed in activated T cell
s, but can also be found at low levels in unstimulated cells. XCL2 induces chemotaxis
of cells expressing the chemokine receptor
XCR1
. Its gene
is located on chromosome 1 in humans.
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
belonging to the XC chemokine
Chemokine
Chemokines are a family of small cytokines, or proteins secreted by cells. Their name is derived from their ability to induce directed chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells; they are chemotactic cytokines...
family that is highly related to another chemokine called XCL1
XCL1
Chemokine ligand is a small cytokine belonging to the XC chemokine family that is also known as lymphotactin. It is found in high levels in spleen, thymus, intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, and at lower levels in lung, prostate gland and ovary. Cellular sources for XCL1 include...
. It is predominantly expressed in activated T cell
T cell
T cells or T lymphocytes belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be distinguished from other lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells , by the presence of a T cell receptor on the cell surface. They are...
s, but can also be found at low levels in unstimulated cells. XCL2 induces chemotaxis
Chemotaxis
Chemotaxis is the phenomenon in which somatic cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemicals in their environment. This is important for bacteria to find food by swimming towards the highest concentration of food molecules,...
of cells expressing the 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...
XCR1
XCR1
The "C" sub-family of chemokine receptors contains only one member: XCR1, the receptor for XCL1 and XCL2 .XCR1 is also known as GPR5.-External links:...
. Its 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 located on chromosome 1 in humans.