Determination of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR repeat region variations

Methods Mol Biol. 2005:304:471-81. doi: 10.1385/1-59259-907-9:471.

Abstract

DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR efficiently bind HIV-1 and other viral as well as nonviral pathogens and assist either cis or trans infection. Both are type II transmembrane proteins that consist of an N-terminal cytoplasmic domain, a repeat region consisting of seven 23-amino-acid tandem repeats, and a C-terminal C-type carbohydrate recognition domain that binds mannose-enriched carbohydrate modifications of host and pathogen proteins. The normal functions of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR include binding to ICAM-2 and ICAM-3. Binding of DC-SIGN to ICAM-2 on endothelial cells facilitates chemokine-induced dendritic cell extravasation; binding to ICAM-3 on T lymphocytes provides the initial step for establishing cell-mediated immunity. Based on the number of tandem repeats, DC-SIGNR is highly polymorphic in the repeat region, while variations in DC-SIGN repeat region are rare. A change in the number of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR repeats may influence their normal functions as well as their binding capacity to viral and nonviral pathogens. This chapter describes the methods for detection of DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR repeat region variations by polymerase chain reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics*
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Lectins, C-Type / physiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics*

Substances

  • CLEC4M protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface