CD81 participates in a variety of important cellular processes such as membrane organization, protein trafficking, cellular fusion and cell–cell interactions. In the immune system, CD81 regulates immune synapse, receptor clustering and signaling; it also mediates adaptive and innate immune suppression. CD81 is a gateway in hepatocytes for pathogens such as hepatitis C virus and Plasmodium; it also confers susceptibility to Listeria infection. These diverse biological roles are due to the tendency of CD81 to associate with other tetraspanins and with cell-specific partner proteins, which provide the cells with a signaling platform. CD81 has also been shown to regulate cell migration and invasion, and has therefore been implicated in cancer progression. Indeed, we have recently shown that CD81 contributes to tumor growth and metastasis. CD81 is expressed in most types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, melanoma, brain cancer and lymphoma, and the overexpression or down-regulation of this molecule has been correlated with either good or bad prognosis. Here, we discuss the role of CD81 in cancer and its potential therapeutic use as a tumor target.
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April 2017
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This artistic rendition shows an Atomic Force Microscopy tip probing the mechanics of an individual virus particle. The colour scale of the particle indicates the deformation and stress of the viral shell obtained with Finite Element Analysis. The applied force is monitored by focusing a laser beam at the end of the microcantilever. For more information please see study by Moreno-Madrid et al. in this issue, pages 499–511. Image provided by Pedro De Pablo.
Review Article|
April 13 2017
CD81 as a tumor target
Felipe Vences-Catalán
;
Felipe Vences-Catalán
1Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
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Caroline Duault
;
Caroline Duault
1Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
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Chiung-Chi Kuo
;
Chiung-Chi Kuo
1Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
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Ranjani Rajapaksa
;
Ranjani Rajapaksa
1Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
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Ronald Levy
;
Ronald Levy
1Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
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Shoshana Levy
1Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Shoshana Levy (slevy@stanford.edu)
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Biochem Soc Trans (2017) 45 (2): 531–535.
Article history
Received:
December 09 2016
Revision Received:
February 19 2017
Accepted:
February 21 2017
Citation
Felipe Vences-Catalán, Caroline Duault, Chiung-Chi Kuo, Ranjani Rajapaksa, Ronald Levy, Shoshana Levy; CD81 as a tumor target. Biochem Soc Trans 15 April 2017; 45 (2): 531–535. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160478
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