We identified a new Ca2+-dependent lectin-like receptor gene, DECTIN-1 (HGMW-approved symbol CLECSF12), the human orthologue of mouse Dectin-1, coding for a putative type II transmembrane glycoprotein with an extracellular C-type lectin-like domain. The gene structure and two alternative spliced forms of DECTIN-1 are described. The DECTIN-1 gene was localized in the natural killer gene complex on human Chromosome 12p12.3-p13.2, between OLR1 and CD94 (position 21.8 cM on the genetic map). The DECTIN-1 gene is highly expressed at the mRNA level in dendritic cells and is not further up-regulated during the maturation of these cells with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The DECTIN-1 gene therefore represents a novel human member of the C-type lectin-like receptor gene family preferentially expressed in dendritic cells.