Description
Prominin-1, also known as CD133, is a glycoprotein that in humans is encoded by the PROM1 gene. It is mapped to 4p15.32. Prominin-1 is a member of pentaspan transmembrane glycoproteins (5-transmembrane, 5-TM), which specifically localize to cellular protrusions. This gene encodes a pentaspan transmembrane glycoprotein. The protein localizes to membrane protrusions and is often expressed on adult stem cells, where it is thought to function in maintaining stem cell properties by suppressing differentiation. It has been proposed to act as an organizer of cell membrane topology. Prominin-1 was expressed not only on metastatic colon cancer cells, but also on differentiated colonic epithelium in both adult mice and humans