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Medical Definition of Cc-ckr-5 gene
1. A gene which encodes a protein (also called CC-CKR-5) embedded in the surface of immune cells. The HIV virus (the virus which causes AIDS) uses the protein to invade the immune cells. People who have one mutated and one working copy of this gene take longer to develop AIDS after infection with HIV than people who have two working copies of the gene. People who have mutations in both copies of this gene are resistant to HIV infection. (09 Oct 1997)