Integrin Associated Protein (IAP)

CD47 is involved in the increase in intracellular calcium concentration that occurs upon cell adhesion to extracellular matrix. The encoded protein is also a receptor for the C-terminal cell binding domain of thrombospondin, and it may play a role in membrane transport and signal transduction. This gene has broad tissue distribution, and is reduced in expression on Rh erythrocytes. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been found for this gene. Isoform 2 and 4 are the most abundant. Other than thrombospondin, CD47 also binds CD172a. CD47 deficient mice have been generated. Their reported phenotype is a defect in cellular migration of the CD172a expressing cells, suggesting that CD47 to CD172a interactions are necessary for the proper distribution of these cell types.