GPR183

G-protein coupled receptor 183 also known as Epstein-Barr virus-induced G-protein coupled receptor 2 (EBI2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GPR183 gene.

This gene was identified by the up-regulation of its expression upon Epstein-Barr virus infection of the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line BL41. This gene is predicted to encode a G protein-coupled receptor that is most closely related to the thrombin receptor. Expression of this gene was detected in B-lymphocyte cell lines and lymphoid tissues but not in T-lymphocyte cell lines or peripheral blood T lymphocytes.

EBI2 helps B cell homing within a lymph node. EBI2 expression increases during B cell activation, after B cell receptor and CD40 stimulation; its expression decreases during germinal cell development due to BCL6--a transcription factor required in germinal center development. EBI2 must turn off to move B cells to the germinal center from the periphery, and must turn on for B cells to exit the germinal center and re-enter the periphery. EBI2 is a receptor for oxysterols, the most potent activator being 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol.