SIGLEC12 (sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin 12)

Siglec-XII Is a molecule found to be expressed on a few epithelial surfaces and on some macrophages in the chimpanzee. The gene underwent a human specific mutation of the critical arginine residue required for sialic acid binding. The roman numeral XII is used in place of -12 to designated this loss of sialic acid binding in the protein. Subsequently inactivating mutations have occurred in some humans. The biological significance of this event is unknown at this time.

Type of Human-Specific Changes in SIGLEC12

Functional Differences in protein coding sequences

Pseudogenization in some humans.