Description
Recognizes a protein of 30-33kDa, which is identified as CD20 (Workshop V; Code CD20.12. Workshop IV; Code B17). It recognizes an extracellular domain of CD20. It is a non-Ig differentiation antigen of B-cells and its expression is restricted to normal and neoplastic B-cells, being absent from all other leukocytes and tissues. CD20 is expressed by pre B-cells and persists during all stages of B-cell maturation but is lost upon terminal differentiation into plasma cells. The protein passes through the membrane 4 times with both ends in cytoplasm and exposes one short and one longer loop to the external environment. CD20 is not glycosylated in resting B-cells and its cytoplasmic domains are differentially phosphorylated upon activation. It acts as calcium channel involved in B cell activation and cell cycle progression