protein_function: Adipocyte-secreted protein (adipokine) that regulatesadipogenesis, metabolism and inflammation through activation ofthe chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). Its other ligands includeG protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1) and chemokine receptor-like 2(CCRL2). Positively regulates adipocyte differentiation, modulatesthe expression of adipocyte genes involved in lipid and glucosemetabolism and might play a role in angiogenesis, a processessential for the expansion of white adipose tissue. Also acts asa proinflammatory adipokine, causing an increase in secretion ofproinflammatory and prodiabetic adipokines, which further impairadipose tissue metabolic function and have negative systemiceffects including impaired insulin sensitivity, altered glucoseand lipid metabolism, and a decrease in vascular function in othertissues. Can have both pro- and anti-inflammatory propertiesdepending on the modality of enzymatic cleavage by differentclasses of proteases. Acts as a chemotactic factor for leukocytepopulations expressing CMKLR1, particularly immature plasmacytoiddendritic cells, but also immature myeloid DCs, macrophages andnatural killer cells. Exerts an anti-inflammatory role bypreventing TNF,TNFA-induced VCAM1 expression and monocytesadhesion in vascular endothelial cells. The effect is mediated viainhibiting activation of NF-kappa-B and CRK,p38 throughstimulation of AKT1,NOS3 signaling and nitric oxide production.Its dual role in inflammation and metabolism might provide a linkbetween chronic inflammation and obesity, as well as obesity-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovasculardisease. Exhibits an antimicrobial function in the skin..
Chemerin, also known as RARRES2 or TIG2, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RARRES2 gene. It is mapped to 7q36.1. Chemerin is a potent chemoattractant specific for antigen-presenting cells that requires proteolytic activation and acts as a ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor CMKLR1(also known as ChemR23). It is a 14 kDa protein secreted in an inactive form as prochemerin and is activated through cleavage of the C-terminus by inflammatory and coagulation serine proteases. Chemerin was found to stimulate chemotaxis of dendritic cells and macrophages to the site of inflammation. What??s more, the active protein has several roles, including that as an adipokine, and is truncated on both termini from the proprotein.