Description
Product Characteristics: CD81 is expressed on CD4+CD8+ thymocytes and broadly in the periphery with high level expressed by B cells, NK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells and lower level on resting T cells. Activation of T cells induces upregulation of CD81. CD81 is involved in homotypic adhesion of B and T cells as well as costimulation of T cells. The Eat-2 antibody is reported to cross-react with rat CD81.
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]