Description
Product Characteristics: CD81 (TAPA-1), a member of the tetraspanin family, is expressed on virtually all nucleated cells, but above all on germinal center B cells. CD81 forms complexes with other tetraspanin proteins, integrins, coreceptors, MHC class I and II molecules, and influences adhesion, morphology, activation, proliferation and differentiation of B, T and other cells –, e.g. in muscles CD81 promotes cell fusion and myotube maintenance. CD81 has been also identified as a receptor for the hepatitis C virus.
Target Information: The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the transmembrane 4 superfamily, also known as the tetraspanin family. Most of these members are cell-surface proteins that are characterized by the presence of four hydrophobic domains. The proteins mediate signal transduction events that play a role in the regulation of cell development, activation, growth and motility. This encoded protein is a cell surface glycoprotein that is known to complex with integrins. This protein appears to promote muscle cell fusion and support myotube maintenance. Also it may be involved in signal transduction. This gene is localized in the tumor-suppressor gene region and thus it is a candidate gene for malignancies. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]