title: Molecular cloning, functional characterization and mRNA expression analysis of the murine chemokine receptor CCR6 and its specific ligand MIP-3alpha.
abstract: We have cloned the murine CCR6 receptor and its ligand, the beta-chemokine mMIP-3alpha. Calcium mobilization assays performed with mCCR6 transfectants showed significant responses upon addition of mMIP-3alpha. Murine MIP-3alpha RNA is expressed in thymus, small intestine and colon, whereas mCCR6 RNA is expressed in spleen and lymph nodes. RT-PCR analysis of FACS-sorted lymphoid and antigen presenting cell subsets showed mCCR6 expression mainly in B cells, CD8- splenic dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. The cloning and functional characterization of the mCCR6 and mMIP-3alpha will allow the study of the role of these proteins in mouse models of inflammation and immunity.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Immunología y Onocología, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Varona
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaballos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roncal
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Albar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ardavín
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Márquez
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D054418:Chemokine CCL20; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015870:Gene Expression; D015723:Gene Library; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D054399:Receptors, CCR6; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C108355:CCL20 protein, human; C106311:CCR6 protein, human; D054418:Chemokine CCL20; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D008024:Ligands; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054399:Receptors, CCR6; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine