Chemokine C-C-Motif Ligand 4 Like Protein 2 (CCL4L2)

CCL4L2 is one of several cytokine genes clustered on the q-arm of chromosome 17. Cytokines are a family of secreted proteins involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. This protein is similar to CCL4 which inhibits HIV entry by binding to the cellular receptor CCR5. The copy number of this gene varies among individuals; most individuals have 1-5 copies in the diploid genome, although rare individuals do not contain this gene at all. The human genome reference assembly contains two copies of this gene. This record represents the more telomeric gene.CCL4L2 is a telomeric copy of the CCL4L1 gene. By sequencing a BAC clone located in a segmental duplication at chromosome 17q12, Modi (2004) identified 2 complete copies of the CCL3L1 and CCL4L1 genes.