CXCR12

CXCR12 is not a recognized gene or protein symbol in standard nomenclature. Major databases such as HGNC, NCBI Gene, and UniProt do not list a chemokine receptor designated CXCR12, and no peer‑reviewed receptor by that name is described in canonical reviews. In many cases, the symbol may be a typographical error or a misinterpretation of related receptors or receptor–ligand axes.

The C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) family comprises several G protein-coupled receptors that respond to CXC chemokines. The best characterized members include CXCR4 and the atypical receptor CXCR7 (also known as ACKR3), which bind CXCL12 (SDF-1) and regulate development, hematopoiesis, and cancer progression. Other family members, such as CXCR1 and CXCR2, bind ELR+ CXC chemokines (for example CXCL8/IL-8) and play key roles in neutrophil recruitment and inflammatory responses. The functional repertoire of CXCR receptors includes guidance of cell migration, immune cell trafficking, angiogenesis, and, in some contexts, disease progression.

Implications for researchers and readers: always verify gene and protein symbols against authoritative resources when interpreting literature or designing experiments. If CXCR12 appears in a paper or dataset, check the context, species, and whether the authors intended CXCR1/2, CXCR4, CXCR7, or a different receptor entirely. Accurate annotation is essential to avoid misinterpretation of chemokine signaling data.