S100 Calcium Binding Protein A12 (S100A12)

S100A12 belongs to the S-100 (soluble in 100% saturated ammonium sulfate) family. Similar to other S100 proteins, S100A12 is small, it only has 91 amino acids, contains 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs and a Hinge domain. The hinge domain contributes significantly to its chemotactic properties. In the absence of divalent cations, S100A12 forms noncovalent homodimers; in the presence of calcium, zinc and copper ions, it forms tetramers or hexamers. S100A12 can interact with AGER and both calcium and zinc are essential for the interaction; it can Interact with CACYBP in a calcium-dependent manner. Besides, it can form heterodimers with S100A9. S100A12 plays a prominent role in the regulation of inflammatory processes and immune response. The concentration of S100A12 is high in the serum of patients suffering from various inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and Kawasaki disease.