Siglec-7 Activators

Sialic Acid Binding Ig Like Lectin 7 (SIGLEC7) is a protein encoded by the SIGLEC7 gene in humans. SIGLEC7 belongs to the SIGLEC (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins) family of proteins, which are part of the larger immunoglobulin superfamily. SIGLECs are cell surface proteins that bind sialic acid, a sugar molecule often found on the outermost layer of cells.SIGLEC7 is expressed primarily on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes, and to a lesser extent, on granulocytes and dendritic cells. It plays a key role in immune cell signaling and can modulate immune responses.

SIGLEC7, like other SIGLECs, is involved in cell-cell interactions and can influence the ability of immune cells to respond to pathogens or other signals. Specifically, when SIGLEC7 binds to sialic acids on the surface of other cells, this can transmit inhibitory signals that regulate immune cell activation.Alterations in SIGLEC7 function have been associated with various disease states. For instance, some cancer cells can exploit SIGLEC7's inhibitory function to evade immune responses, contributing to immune evasion, a hallmark of cancer.In summary, SIGLEC7 is a sialic acid-binding protein primarily expressed on immune cells. It plays a significant role in modulating immune responses by transmitting inhibitory signals upon sialic acid binding.