TSPAN7: Proteins and Enzymes

TSPAN7 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. The cell surface glycoprotein TSPAN7 is expressed in T-cells and in acute myelocytic leukemia cells of some patients. TSPAN7 may have a role in the control of neurite outgrowth and is known to complex with integrins. TSPAN7 is associated with X-linked mental retardation and neuropsychiatric diseases such as Huntington's chorea, fragile X syndrome and myotonic dystrophy.