Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 6 (Siglec-6)

Siglec‑6 is an inhibitory receptor primarily expressed on placental trophoblasts, mast cells, memory B-cells, and aberrantly upregulated on leukemic B-cells. It binds α2,6-linked sialylated glycans through its extracellular domain. Its cytoplasmic tail contains ITIM/ITSM motifs that recruit phosphatases upon activation—dampening immune signaling pathways. Due to its limited normal tissue distribution but high expression on certain cancers like CLL, it represents an attractive therapeutic target for antibody-mediated therapies aiming at selective tumor eradication while minimizing off-target effects.

Other names

SIGLEC6Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 6

Recruits SHP family phosphatases upon ligand binding, inhibiting activation signals from ITAM-bearing receptors. Bispecific antibodies targeting Siglec-6 recruit T-cells to eliminate cancer cells.