Lipocalin 12 (LCN12)

Lipocalin 12 is a member of the lipocalin family, a group of small extracellular proteins characterized by a highly conserved β-barrel structure that encloses a ligand-binding site[1][2][3][4]. Lipocalins, including LCN12, typically function as transport proteins, binding and carrying small hydrophobic molecules such as lipids, steroids, and retinoids through body fluids[1][2][3]. They also play roles in immune modulation, regulation of cell homeostasis, and may be involved in various pathophysiological processes, including cancer and inflammation, based on broader evidence for the lipocalin family[1][2][4]. The specific biological and disease roles of LCN12 remain less studied than some other family members such as LCN2, but expression analyses suggest it is present in certain human tissues and may be involved in processes relevant to disease[4].

Other names

LCN12lipocalin family member 12lipocalin-12