Fractalkine
Fractalkine (CX3CL1, also known as neurotactin, NTN, C3Xkine and ABCD-3) is the only member of the CX3C chemokine subgroup. It exists as a membrane-anchored binding molecule and as a soluble chemotactic cytokine. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Fractalkine research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Fractalkine is a chemokine with an unusual architecture: an extended mucin-like stalk carries a chemokine domain at its tip. It occurs in two forms. In its membrane-anchored form it acts as a binding molecule at the cell surface. The mature protein can also be cleaved at the cell surface, releasing soluble forms that act as chemotactic cytokines and interact with the G-protein coupled receptor C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1.
The CX3CL1 gene belongs to the CX3C subgroup of chemokines, which is defined by the number of amino acids between the conserved cysteine residues. Fractalkine is the only member of this subgroup, with three amino acids between the cysteines, giving a Cys-X-X-X-Cys configuration. UniProt places the protein in the intercrine delta family, and HGNC classifies it among the chemokine ligands. Orthologues are annotated in mouse and rat as Cx3cl1.
The gene has gone by several names, including small inducible cytokine subfamily D member 1, chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1, neurotactin, C3Xkine, ABCD-3, CXC3C, CXC3 and SCYD1. NCBI Gene links it to a wide range of diseases, including cancer, vasculitis, neuropathies, atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases and human immunodeficiency virus infection. In microbial infection, UniProt notes that fractalkine mediates the cytoadherence of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum (strain 3D7) to endothelial cells, through interaction with parasite proteins CBP1 and CBP2 on the erythrocyte surface. This adhesion prevents the spleen from eliminating the infected cells.
Fractalkine acts as a chemotactic cytokine in soluble form and signals through the G-protein coupled receptor C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1.
The membrane-anchored form, with its mucin-like stalk and chemokine domain, functions as a binding molecule at the cell surface.
The CX3CL1 gene is linked to inflammatory diseases, vasculitis and atherosclerosis, making fractalkine relevant to studies of these conditions.
Fractalkine is implicated in HIV infection and mediates adhesion of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells.
Fractalkine has two forms. The membrane-anchored form acts as a binding molecule, while cleavage at the cell surface releases soluble forms that act as chemotactic cytokines. These soluble forms interact with the G-protein coupled receptor C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1.
The official symbol is CX3CL1. Aliases include neurotactin, NTN, C3Xkine, ABCD-3, CXC3C, CXC3 and SCYD1. Earlier names include small inducible cytokine subfamily D (Cys-X3-Cys), member 1, and chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1.
NCBI Gene associates the gene with cancer, vasculitis, neuropathies, atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases and HIV infection. Mouse and rat both have a Cx3cl1 orthologue, but check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other chemokine ligands and chemokine receptors that are studied alongside fractalkine in inflammation and immune cell trafficking.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P78423; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.