Molecular determinants of subcellular localisation and function of the transmembrane 4 superfamily protein, PETA-3

几年前，我们根据其引起血小板活化的能力确定了细胞膜蛋白PETA-3-CD151，表明它在血栓形成中起到了作用。最近，我们发现这种蛋白质存在于各种组织中，尽管它在这些组织中的分布往往受到限制。它在多种癌细胞中大量存在，并存在于介导过敏反应的组织肥大细胞中。PETA-3-CD151与与细胞黏附和迁移相关的分子(整合素)形成复合体，该蛋白的抗体抑制细胞运动。因此，PETA-3-CD151似乎参与了对正常组织发育和功能至关重要的细胞相互作用，并可能参与包括癌症侵袭和转移在内的几个疾病过程。PETA-3-CD151功能的分子基础还不清楚，这是本应用的重点。

Several years ago we identified the cell membrane protein PETA-3-CD151 based on its ability to cause activation of blood platelets, suggesting a role in thrombosis. More recently we found that the protein is present in a variety of tissues, although its distribution in those tissues is often restricted. It is abundant in a variety of cancer cells, and is present on tissue mast cells that mediate allergic reactions. PETA-3-CD151 forms complexes with molecules (integrins) that are associated with cell adhesion and migration, and antibodies to this protein inhibit cell movement. Thus PETA-3-CD151 appears to be involved in cellular interactions that are critical for normal tissue development and function, and may be involved in several disease processes including cancer invasion and metastasis. The molecular basis of PETA-3-CD151 function is not understood and is the focus of this application.