C-Type Lectin Like Protein 1 (CLECL1)

DCAL1 is a type II transmembrane, C-type lectin-like protein expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells. It interacts with subsets of T cells as a costimulatory molecule that enhances interleukin-4 (IL4) production.

The deduced 167-amino acid protein has no cleavable signal sequence or calcium-binding site, but it has a putative transmembrane region and 2 potential glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis detected transcripts of approximately 9.5 and 7.5 kb in spleen, lymph node, and tonsil, with lower expression in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and colon, and no expression in thymus.Stimulation of T cells through the T-cell receptor in the presence of DCAL1 enhanced proliferation and the secretion of IL4 in a dose-dependent manner, without inhibiting gamma-interferon (IFNG) secretion.