CLEC12A

C-type lectin domain family 12 member A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CLEC12A gene.

This gene encodes a member of the C-type lectin/C-type lectin-like domain (CTL/CTLD) superfamily. Members of this family share a common protein fold and have diverse functions, such as cell adhesion, cell-cell signaling, glycoprotein turnover, and roles in inflammation and immune response. The protein encoded by this gene is a negative regulator of granulocyte and monocyte function. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but the full-length nature of some of these variants has not been determined. This gene is closely linked to other CTL/CTLD superfamily members in the natural killer gene complex region on chromosome 12p13.

CLEC12A, also known as MICL, is inhibitory C-type lectin-like receptor. It contains ITIM motif in cytoplasmic tail that can associate with signaling phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2.

There are two types, human (hMICL) and murine (mMICL). Human MICL is expressed as a monomer primarily on myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells.

Murine MICL is expressed as dimer on granulocytes, monocytes but also on B lymphocytes and can be also found on NK cells surface in bone marrow.