CX3CR1

GeneName

CX3CR1

Summary

CX3CR1, also known as the fractalkine receptor or CX3C chemokine receptor 1, is a 40kDa G protein-coupled receptor expressed on various immune and neuronal cells. It is primarily located at the cell surface and plasma membrane, with additional presence in dendritic trees and neuronal cell bodies. CX3CR1 plays a crucial role in mediating cell adhesion and chemotaxis through its interaction with fractalkine (CX3CL1), facilitating communication between neurons and immune cells. This receptor is involved in several biological processes, including the adaptive immune response, leukocyte chemotaxis, and modulation of synaptic transmission, thereby influencing both immune functions and neural development.

Importance

CX3CR1 is relevant to: - Immune system dynamics, particularly in the regulation of leukocyte migration and activation during inflammatory responses. - Neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, as it mediates interactions between microglia and neurons. - Brain development and synaptic plasticity, contributing to processes such as neurogenesis and synapse maturation. - The regulation of intestinal microbiota composition, impacting host immune responses and overall health.

Top Products

For researchers investigating CX3CR1, we recommend two excellent primary antibodies. The first is the well-cited polyclonal antibody, Anti-CX3CR1 antibody (ab8020), which has garnered 21 citations and is highly regarded for its performance in immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting (WB). This product is a trusted choice for those looking to study CX3CR1 in various contexts. Additionally, we offer the recombinant antibody, Anti-CX3CR1 antibody [EPR22354-15] (ab245248), which is suitable for flow cytometry (FC). This recombinant option provides the advantage of batch-to-batch consistency, making it an excellent choice for researchers who require reliable results in their experiments.

Abcam Product Citation Summary

The CX3CR1 antibody (ab8020) has been effectively used in various immunohistochemistry applications, particularly in human placental tissue and umbilical vein endothelial cells. Additionally, it has been employed in Western blotting to study keratinocyte differentiation in a human cell line, indicating its relevance in vascular and developmental biology.

Abcam Product Citation Table

Function

Receptor for the C-X3-C chemokine fractalkine (CX3CL1) present on many early leukocyte cells; CX3CR1-CX3CL1 signaling exerts distinct functions in different tissue compartments, such as immune response, inflammation, cell adhesion and chemotaxis (PubMed:12055230, PubMed:23125415, PubMed:9390561, PubMed:9782118). CX3CR1-CX3CL1 signaling mediates cell migratory functions (By similarity). Responsible for the recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells to inflamed tissues (By similarity). Acts as a regulator of inflammation process leading to atherogenesis by mediating macrophage and monocyte recruitment to inflamed atherosclerotic plaques, promoting cell survival (By similarity). Involved in airway inflammation by promoting interleukin 2-producing T helper (Th2) cell survival in inflamed lung (By similarity). Involved in the migration of circulating monocytes to non-inflamed tissues, where they differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells (By similarity). Acts as a negative regulator of angiogenesis, probably by promoting macrophage chemotaxis (PubMed:14581400, PubMed:18971423). Plays a key role in brain microglia by regulating inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS) and regulating synapse maturation (By similarity). Required to restrain the microglial inflammatory response in the CNS and the resulting parenchymal damage in response to pathological stimuli (By similarity). Involved in brain development by participating in synaptic pruning, a natural process during which brain microglia eliminates extra synapses during postnatal development (By similarity). Synaptic pruning by microglia is required to promote the maturation of circuit connectivity during brain development (By similarity). Acts as an important regulator of the gut microbiota by controlling immunity to intestinal bacteria and fungi (By similarity). Expressed in lamina propria dendritic cells in the small intestine, which form transepithelial dendrites capable of taking up bacteria in order to provide defense against pathogenic bacteria (By similarity). Required to initiate innate and adaptive immune responses against dissemination of commensal fungi (mycobiota) component of the gut: expressed in mononuclear phagocytes (MNPs) and acts by promoting induction of antifungal IgG antibodies response to confer protection against disseminated C.albicans or C.auris infection (PubMed:29326275). Also acts as a receptor for C-C motif chemokine CCL26, inducing cell chemotaxis (PubMed:20974991).

Isoform 1

(Microbial infection) Acts as a coreceptor with CD4 for HIV-1 virus envelope protein.

Isoform 2

(Microbial infection) Acts as a coreceptor with CD4 for HIV-1 virus envelope protein (PubMed:14607932). May have more potent HIV-1 coreceptothr activity than isoform 1 (PubMed:14607932).

Isoform 3

(Microbial infection) Acts as a coreceptor with CD4 for HIV-1 virus envelope protein (PubMed:14607932). May have more potent HIV-1 coreceptor activity than isoform 1 (PubMed:14607932).

Involvement in disease

Macular degeneration, age-related, 12

ARMD12

A form of age-related macular degeneration, a multifactorial eye disease and the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world. In most patients, the disease is manifest as ophthalmoscopically visible yellowish accumulations of protein and lipid that lie beneath the retinal pigment epithelium and within an elastin-containing structure known as Bruch membrane.

None

Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Post-translational modifications

This protein is not N-glycosylated which is unusual for G-protein-coupled receptors.

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family.

Tissue Specificity

Expressed in lymphoid and neural tissues (PubMed:7590284). Expressed in lymphocyte subsets, such as natural killer (NK) cells, gamma-delta T-cells and terminally differentiated CD8(+) T-cells (PubMed:12055230). Expressed in smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques (PubMed:14581400).

Cellular localization

• Cell membrane
• Multi-pass membrane protein

Alternative names

CMKBRL1, GPR13, CX3CR1, CX3C chemokine receptor 1, C-X3-C CKR-1, Beta chemokine receptor-like 1, Fractalkine receptor, G-protein coupled receptor 13, V28, CMK-BRL-1, CMK-BRL1

Database links

swissprot:P49238 omim:601470 entrezGene:1524

Other research areas

• Immuno-oncology
• Neuroscience