Butyrophilin Subfamily 2, Member A1 (BTN2A1)

BTN2A1 is a member of the BTN2 subfamily of genes, which encode proteins belonging to the butyrophilin protein family. The gene is located in a cluster on chromosome 6, consisting of seven genes belonging to the expanding B7/butyrophilin-like group, a subset of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily. The encoded protein is an integral plasma membrane B box protein involved in lipid, fatty-acid and sterol metabolism.The MHC-encoded butyrophilin, BTN2A1, is a cell surface glycoprotein related to the extended family of B7 costimulatory molecules. BTN2A1 mRNA was expressed in most human tissues, but protein expression was significantly lower in leukocytes. An Ig-fusion protein of BTN2A1 bound to immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Binding diminished upon MoDC maturation and no binding was detected to Langerhans cells.