Function
CD81 is a cell-surface protein involved in a variety of biological responses like adhesion, morphology, activation, proliferation and differentiation of of B- and T-cells[1]. CD81 belongs to the tetraspanin family - protein containing 4 transmembrane domains - which form microdomains in the cell surface with a variety of partner proteins.
Disease
Relevance
CD81 is widely expressed on the majority of tumor cells. Antibodies that target CD81 are a novel treatment against B-cell lymphoma[2]. CD81-defficient mice are impaired in their ability to suppress the anti-tumor immune response.
Structural highlights
The structure of the complex of human CD81 with mouse antibody shows interactions of the CD81 helix D with the antibody heavy chain and CD81 residues in helix C with the light chain[3].
