CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)

CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), is a small, secreted cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It plays critical roles in cell signaling, development, immune response, and cancer biology by binding to receptors such as CXCR4 and ACKR3. The CXCL12–CXCR4 axis is an important target for anticancer drug discovery due to its involvement in tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and shaping the tumor microenvironment.

Other names

Stromal cell-derived factor 1SDF-1

Binding to CXCR4 and ACKR3 receptors, triggering downstream signaling pathways that regulate chemotaxis, cell survival, proliferation, migration, and gene expression. Inhibitors block the interaction of CXCL12 with its receptors.