NCIt definition : Members of the Alpha-Chemokines are referred to also as the 4q chemokine family because
the genes encoding members of this family map to human chromosome 4q12-21. The first
two cysteine residues of members of this family are separated by a single amino acids
and these proteins, therefore, are called also CXC-Chemokines. Some members of the
subgroup of the human CXC-Chemokines are defined by the conserved ELR sequence motif
(glutamic acid-leucine-arginine) immediately preceding the first cysteine residue
near the amino-terminal end. Chemokines with an ELR sequence motif have been found
to chemoattract and activate primarily neutrophils. Chemokines without the ELR sequence
motif appear to chemoattract and activate monocytes, dendritic cells, T-cells, NK-cells,
B-lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils.;