Description
Basigin is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is also known as EMMPRIN, short for extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, and recently has been designated CD147(cluster of differentiation 147). It is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, with a structure related to the putative primordial form of the family. As members of the immunoglobulin superfamily play fundamental roles in intercellular recognition involved in various immunologic phenomena, differentiation, and development, basigin is thought also to play a role in intercellular recognition(Miyauchi et al., 1991; Kanekura et al., 1991).This protein is a determinant for the Ok blood group system. Basigin is a type I integral membrane receptor that has many ligands, including the cyclophilin(CyP) proteins Cyp-A and CyP-B and certain integrins. It is expressed by many cell types, including epithelial cells, endothelial cells and leukocytes