CD47
Encyclopedia
CD47 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the CD47 gene
.
, which is involved in the increase in intracellular calcium
concentration that occurs upon cell adhesion
to extracellular matrix
. The 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 protein 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.
cells to hide from normal scavenging by macrophages.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the CD47 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
CD47 is a membrane proteinMembrane protein
A membrane protein is a protein molecule that is attached to, or associated with the membrane of a cell or an organelle. More than half of all proteins interact with membranes.-Function:...
, which is involved in the increase in intracellular calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
concentration that occurs upon cell adhesion
Cell adhesion
Cellular adhesion is the binding of a cell to a surface, extracellular matrix or another cell using cell adhesion molecules such as selectins, integrins, and cadherins. Correct cellular adhesion is essential in maintaining multicellular structure...
to extracellular matrix
Extracellular matrix
In biology, the extracellular matrix is the extracellular part of animal tissue that usually provides structural support to the animal cells in addition to performing various other important functions. The extracellular matrix is the defining feature of connective tissue in animals.Extracellular...
. The protein is also a receptor
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
for the C-terminal cell binding domain of thrombospondin
Thrombospondin
Thrombospondins are secreted proteins with antiangiogenic abilities. TSP was discovered by Nancy L. Baenziger.-Types:The thrombospondins are a family of multifunctional proteins...
, and it may play a role in membrane transport
Membrane transport
In cellular biology the term membrane transport refers to the collection of mechanisms that regulate the passage of solutes such as ions and small molecules through biological membranes namely lipid bilayers that contain proteins embedded in them...
and signal transduction
Signal transduction
Signal transduction occurs when an extracellular signaling molecule activates a cell surface receptor. In turn, this receptor alters intracellular molecules creating a response...
. This protein has broad tissue
Tissue (biology)
Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. These are called tissues because of their identical functioning...
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.
Clinical significance
CD47 is used by bladder cancerBladder cancer
Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine; it is located in the pelvis...
cells to hide from normal scavenging by macrophages.