Tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8)

Tetraspanin-8 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 gene is expressed in different carcinomas. The use of alternate polyadenylation sites has been found for this gene.The cDNA encoded a 237-amino acid protein with 4 putative transmembrane domains and similarity to other transmembrane proteins, such as melanoma-associated antigen ME491 (CD63), sarcoma antigen SAS , and the leukocyte cell surface antigen CD37.