Description
Product Characteristics: CD63 is a 53 kD, type III lysosomal glycoprotein, expressed on activated platelets, monocytes and macrophages. This molecule is also referred highly to as LIMP, gp55,melanoma-associated antigen ME491, Pltgp40, LAMP-3 and is a member of the tetraspan transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF). It is also widely expressed on surface and in the cytoplasm of various hematopoietic (monocytes, macrophages) and non-hematopoietic cells (endothelium, fibroblasts, osteoclasts, smooth muscle). Its cellular function has not been fully elucidated. Reports suggest this as a useful molecule to study platelet activation.
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. The encoded protein is a cell surface glycoprotein that is known to complex with integrins. It may function as a blood platelet activation marker. Deficiency of this protein is associated with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Also this gene has been associated with tumor progression. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different protein isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2012]