C-C

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (also known as CCR5 or CD195) is a protein on the surface of white blood cells that is involved in the immune system as it acts as a receptor for chemokines. This is the process by which T cells are attracted to specific tissue and organ targets. Many forms of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, initially use CCR5 to enter and infect host cells. A few individuals carry a mutation known as CCR5-Δ32 in the CCR5 gene, protecting them against these strains of HIV.

Structure

CCR5 is a member of the beta chemokine receptors family of integral membrane proteins. It is 352 amino acids long, and it is a G protein-coupled receptor. The CCR5 structure includes an extracellular N-terminus, seven transmembrane helices, three extracellular and three intracellular loops, and an intracellular C-terminus.

Function

CCR5 plays a key role in the immune response to infections. It is a receptor for several chemokines including MIP-1-alpha, MIP-1-beta, and RANTES. These chemokines are involved in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes, cells that play a crucial role in the immune system.

CCR5 and HIV

CCR5 is one of the co-receptors that HIV can use to enter host cells. Some individuals carry a mutation in the CCR5 gene known as CCR5-Δ32. This mutation prevents the normal expression of CCR5 on the cell surface, making the cells resistant to infection by HIV strains that use CCR5 as a co-receptor.

See also

• Chemokine receptor
• HIV
• AIDS
• CCR5-Δ32

References

C-C Resources
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