Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family, Member 8 (SLAMF8)

SLAMF8 encodes a member of the CD2 family of cell surface proteins involved in lymphocyte activation. This protein is expressed in lymphoid tissues, and studies of a similar protein in mouse suggest that it may function during B cell lineage commitment. The gene is found in a region of chromosome 1 containing many CD2 genes.The deduced 285-amino acid type I transmembrane human BLAME protein is 75% identical to the mouse protein. It contains a leader sequence, a 212-amino acid extracellular domain, and a 31-residue cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular domain has an N-terminal IgV-like fold without disulfide bonds and a membrane proximal C2-like fold. Clustal analysis indicated that BLAME is most closely related to CD48, while its extracellular domain is most similar to that of CD58.