title: Identification and characterization of the gene for a novel C-type lectin (CLECSF7) that maps near the natural killer gene complex on human chromosome 12.
abstract: We report the identification and characterization of a novel C-type lectin gene, named HECL (HGMW-approved symbol CLECSF7), that maps close to the natural killer gene complex on human chromosome 12p13. Sequence analysis revealed a complete open reading frame of 549 bp comprising several putative glycosylation and phosphorylation sites as well as a C-terminal C-type carbohydrate-recognition domain. Homology analysis revealed that HECL exhibits a significant degree of divergence from the natural killer cell receptors that comprise the natural killer gene complex. These natural killer cell receptors all belong to group V of the C-type lectin superfamily. HECL, however, is most closely related to the sole group II C-type lectins reported to map near this region of the genome, the murine Nkcl and Mpcl genes. Like Nkcl, HECL is expressed in a variety of hematopoietic cell types and has a complete Ca(2+)-binding site 2. Despite the presence of critical amino acids for sugar binding in Ca(2+)-binding site 2, HECL does not seem to bind carbohydrate. Moreover, HECL is the first non-receptor-like C-type lectin to map near the natural killer gene complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. maria.fernandes@crchul.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Iscove
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gingras
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Calabretta
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D019556:COS Cells; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002881:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C119621:Clec4n protein, mouse; D037102:Lectins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D002118:Calcium