C-Type Lectin Domain Family 3, Member B (CLEC3B)

Tetranectin, a tetrameric protein isolated from human plasma, has 4 identical and noncovalently bound polypeptide chains, each of 181 amino acid residues. It has a specific binding affinity for sulfated polysaccharides and the kringle 4 of plasminogen. The plasma concentration of tetranectin is reduced in patients with various malignancies. The gene is about 12 kb and contains 2 intervening sequences. It encodes a 202-residue pretetranectin, with a signal peptide of 21 amino acid residues followed by the tetranectin sequence of 181 amino acid residues. Northern blot analysis demonstrated tetranectin mRNA in all 8 tissues tested, with the highest concentration in lung. Southern blot analysis demonstrated hybridization to 2 genes, but it was not determined whether these were allelic or nonallelic.