C-Type Lectin Domain Family 16, Member A (CLEC16A)

By sequencing clones obtained from a size-fractionated brain cDNA library, Nagase et al. (1997) obtained a partial cDNA encoding CLEC16A, which they designated KIAA0350. RT-PCR detected CLEC16A expression in all tissues examined, with highest levels in kidney, testis, and ovary. Nakajima et al. extended the partial KIAA0350 sequence and found that the deduced full-length protein contains 1,062 amino acids.

In addition to confirming previously identified loci, they found that type 1 diabetes was significantly associated with variation within a 233-kb linkage disequilibrium block on chromosome 16p13 that contains the KIAA0350 gene, which is predicted to encode a sugar-binding, C-type lectin.