Atypical chemokine receptor 3 (Ackr3)

Atypical chemokine receptor that modulates chemokine levels and localization through high-affinity chemokine binding that's uncoupled from classic ligand-driven signal transduction cascades, resulting instead in chemokine sequestration, degradation, or transcytosis. Also known as interceptor (internalizing receptor) or chemokine-scavenging receptor or chemokine decoy receptor.

Chemokine binding doesn't trigger G-protein- mediated signal transduction but instead induces beta-arrestin recruitment, resulting in ligand internalization and activation of MAPK signaling pathway. Required for regulation of CXCR4 protein levels in migrating interneurons, thereby adapting their chemokine responsiveness.