Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SIGLEC8 gene. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)-like lectins, or SIGLECs (e.g., CD33 (MIM 159590)), are a family of type 1 transmembrane proteins each having a unique expression pattern, mostly in hemopoietic cells. SIGLEC8 is a member of the CD33-like subgroup of SIGLECs, which are localized to 19q13.3-q13.4 and have 2 conserved cytoplasmic tyrosine-based motifs: an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif, or ITIM (see MIM 604964), and a motif homologous to one identified in signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM; MIM 603492) that mediates an association with SLAM-associated protein (SAP; MIM 300490) (summarized by Foussias et al., 2000 [PubMed 11095983]).[supplied by OMIM]. Publication Note: This RefSeq record includes a subset of the publications that are available for this gene. Please see the Gene record to access additional publications.
Putative adhesion molecule that mediates sialic-acid dependent binding to cells. Preferentially binds to alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid. Also binds to alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid. The sialic acid recognition site may be masked by cis interactions with sialic acids on the same cell surface.