MIP-3 α, also known as LARC or Exodus, is one of the many chemokines identified through the Expressed Sequence Tag database. MIP-3 alpha, cDNA encodes a 96 amino acid precursor protein and a 26 amino acid signal peptide. The resulting 70 amino acid mature protein has only 20-28% homology with other related human chemokines. The gene for MIP-3 alpha has been mapped to chromosome 2 rather than chromosome 17 where many human chemokine genes are located. Expression of the chemokine is detected in the lymphoid tissues, fetal lung and fetal liver. Recombinant and native MIP-3 alpha are known chemoattractants of lymphocytes in vitro. Additionally, a growing body of work has identified MIP-3 alpha as a functional ligand of GPR-CY4 orphan receptor or CCR6 and given useful information about in vivo function.

Expression of the chemokine is detected in the lymphoid tissues, fetal lung and fetal liver. Recombinant and native MIP-3α are known chemoattractants of lymphocytes in vitro. Additionally, a growing body of work has identified MIP-3α as a functional ligand of GPR-CY4 orphan receptor or CCR6 and given useful information about in vivo function.

The biological activity is measured by its ability to induce calcium flux in HEK293 cells stably expressing CCR-6 and for chemotaxis of mouse BaF/3 cells transfected with hCCR6.