XCL1

XCL1

Target · Chemokine

XCL1 X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 · Lymphotactin

XCL1, also known as lymphotactin (LPTN, ATAC, SCM-1a, SCM-1, LTN, SCYC1), is a secreted C-chemokine that attracts lymphocytes. It contributes to immune responses and to the establishment of self-tolerance in the thymus. Browse Assay Genie's current range of XCL1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.

Secreted chemokineLymphocyte chemoattractantThymic self-tolerance role
114 aa
Protein length
~13 kDa
Molecular weight
1q24.2
Gene locus
C-chemokine
Protein family
Target information

What is XCL1 (x-C motif chemokine ligand 1)?

XCL1 is a chemokine with chemotactic activity for lymphocytes, but not for monocytes or neutrophils. Chemokines as a group function in inflammatory and immunological responses, inducing leukocyte migration and activation, and XCL1 is thought to be specifically chemotactic for T cells. In the thymus, it mediates the medullary accumulation of thymic dendritic cells and contributes to regulatory T cell development, playing a role in the establishment of self-tolerance.

The XCL1 gene encodes a member of the chemokine superfamily and belongs to the intercrine gamma family. The encoded protein is a member of the C-chemokine subfamily, which retains only two of the four cysteines conserved in other chemokines. NCBI Gene describes it as an antimicrobial gene. The XCL1 protein is secreted, and the gene lies on the long arm of chromosome 1 alongside a closely related family member, XCL2. Orthologous genes are annotated in mouse and rat, both named Xcl1.

The protein is listed by UniProt as lymphotactin, and HGNC now names the gene X-C motif chemokine ligand 1. Earlier names include small inducible cytokine subfamily C, member 1 (lymphotactin) and chemokine (C motif) ligand 1, and the symbol SCYC1 is a previous symbol. Other aliases in use are LPTN, ATAC, SCM-1a, SCM-1 and LTN. HGNC places it in the chemokine ligands gene group, which makes it a useful reference point for studies of lymphocyte trafficking and chemokine biology.

T cell chemotaxis

XCL1 is thought to be specifically chemotactic for T cells, so it is studied in lymphocyte migration and recruitment.

Thymic self-tolerance

XCL1 mediates medullary accumulation of thymic dendritic cells and supports regulatory T cell development, linking it to self-tolerance.

Inflammation and immunity

As a chemokine, XCL1 contributes to inflammatory and immunological responses by inducing leukocyte migration and activation.

Chemokine family comparison

As a C-chemokine retaining two of four conserved cysteines, XCL1 is used to compare chemokine subfamilies and its relative XCL2.

Background

XCL1 frequently asked questions

What does XCL1 do?

XCL1 is a secreted chemokine with chemotactic activity for lymphocytes, but not for monocytes or neutrophils. In the thymus it mediates medullary accumulation of thymic dendritic cells and contributes to regulatory T cell development, supporting the establishment of self-tolerance.

What other names is XCL1 known by?

XCL1 is called lymphotactin by UniProt, and is also known as LPTN, ATAC, SCM-1a, SCM-1, LTN and SCYC1. Previous names include small inducible cytokine subfamily C, member 1 (lymphotactin) and chemokine (C motif) ligand 1.

Is XCL1 conserved across species, and what is its closest relative?

Mouse and rat both carry an orthologous gene named Xcl1. In humans, XCL1 lies on chromosome 1 next to a closely related family member, XCL2. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

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Related targets

XCL2, the closely related chemokine encoded alongside XCL1 on the long arm of chromosome 1.

Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P47992; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.

XCL1 Product listing