Langerin
Encyclopedia
CD207, langerin is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the CD207 gene
. Langerin is a type II transmembrane cell surface receptor produced by Langerhans cell
s.
s which are immature dendritic cells of the epidermis and mucosa. It is also expressed in several other dendritic cell types including dermal CD103+ DCs and splenic CD8+ DCs. Langerin is localized in the Birbeck granules
, organelles present in the cytoplasm
of Langerhans cells and consisting of superimposed and zippered membranes. It is a C-type lectin
with mannose binding specificity, and it has been proposed that mannose
binding by this protein leads to internalization of antigen into Birbeck granules and providing access to a nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.
epithelium
binds to HIV-1 and subsequently internalizes it into Birbeck granules
to be degraded.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the CD207 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
. Langerin is a type II transmembrane cell surface receptor produced by Langerhans cell
Langerhans cell
Langerhans cells are dendritic cells of the skin and mucosa, and contain large granules called Birbeck granules. They are present in all layers of the epidermis, but are most prominant in the stratum spinosum. They also occur in the papillary dermis, particularly around blood vessels, as well as...
s.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene is expressed in Langerhans cellLangerhans cell
Langerhans cells are dendritic cells of the skin and mucosa, and contain large granules called Birbeck granules. They are present in all layers of the epidermis, but are most prominant in the stratum spinosum. They also occur in the papillary dermis, particularly around blood vessels, as well as...
s which are immature dendritic cells of the epidermis and mucosa. It is also expressed in several other dendritic cell types including dermal CD103+ DCs and splenic CD8+ DCs. Langerin is localized in the Birbeck granules
Birbeck granules
Birbeck granules, also known as Birbeck bodies, are rod shaped or "tennis-racket" cytoplasmic organelles with a central linear density and a striated appearance...
, organelles present in the cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
of Langerhans cells and consisting of superimposed and zippered membranes. It is a C-type lectin
Lectin
Lectins are sugar-binding proteins that are highly specific for their sugar moieties. They play a role in biological recognition phenomena involving cells and proteins. For example, some viruses use lectins to attach themselves to the cells of the host organism during infection...
with mannose binding specificity, and it has been proposed that mannose
Mannose
Mannose is a sugar monomer of the aldohexose series of carbohydrates. Mannose is a C-2 epimer of glucose. It is not part of human metabolism, but is a component of microbial cell walls, and is therefore a target of the immune system and also of antibiotics....
binding by this protein leads to internalization of antigen into Birbeck granules and providing access to a nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.
Clinical significance
Langerin on mucosal Langerhans cells of the human genitalSex organ
A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined, is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in a complex organism; flowers are the reproductive organs of flowering plants, cones are the reproductive...
epithelium
Epithelium
Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...
binds to HIV-1 and subsequently internalizes it into Birbeck granules
Birbeck granules
Birbeck granules, also known as Birbeck bodies, are rod shaped or "tennis-racket" cytoplasmic organelles with a central linear density and a striated appearance...
to be degraded.