Molecular cloning and characterization of a c-rel induced-lectin-like receptor

Objective To further characterize c-rel regulatory function in the immune system.MethodsWe performed a representational difference analysis(RDA) on mRNAs derived from B-lymphocytes of wild type(WT) and c-rel knockout(KO) mice.Results We identified a novel gene designated lymphocyte-derived C-type lectin (LCL)-1, its expression is dependent on intact c-rel. LCL-1 is a type Ⅱ transmembrane protein with a single extracellular carbohydrate recognition domain(CRD) that exhibits homology to C-type lectin-like receptors including CD69. LCL-1 gene is localized at the NK gene complex(NKC) on mouse chromosome 6 and encodes at least four alternatively spliced isoforms. In addition to its expression in B cells, LCL-1 is also expressed in immature as well as mature dendritic cells(DC), with higher expression level seen in mature DC.Conclusion Our findings offer more information to NKC family and identify a lectin-like receptor of the NKC family as a c-rel target gene.