GFq4

GFq4 is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, specifically classified as a chemokine receptor. It is encoded by the CX3CR1 gene on chromosome 5q31.1. GFq4 plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in the recruitment and activation of immune cells, such as neutrophils and T cells, to sites of infection or inflammation. Its ligand is fractalkine, a protein that is primarily expressed on the surface of endothelial cells and certain types of immune cells. Upon binding to fractalkine, GFq4 initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the activation of various intracellular pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. This activation results in the migration and chemotaxis of immune cells towards the site of inflammation or infection. GFq4 is also involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels form, and has been implicated in various pathological conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Its expression and function are tightly regulated, and dysregulation of GFq4 has been linked to the development and progression of these diseases.