Overview of CD81 molecular target information

Molecular Name: CD81 (Cluster of Differentiation 81)

Gene Family: Tetraspanin Superfamily (Tetraspanins/TM4SF)

Alias: TAPA-1 ( Target of Antiproliferative Antibody 1), M38 antigen, HCV receptor

Formerly known as: Tetraspanin-Associated Protein 1

Overview of the molecular targets of CD81

Molecular weight of 26 kD, expressed on most cells, including endothelial cells , epithelial cells or most hematopoietic cells (excluding platelets, erythrocytes and neutrophils). It is involved in the formation of the CD19/CD21/Leu-13 signaling complex, a common receptor for B lymphocytes. Exists as a multimolecular complex that interacts with other TM4SF family members, MHC class I or II molecules and integrin β1.

CD81 is widely distributed on all lymphocytes, thymocytes, eosinophils and a portion of monocytes/macrophages, follicular dendritic cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts, but is not expressed on neutrophils, erythrocytes, and platelets.