Tetraspanins: Interactions and interplay with integrins.
Tetraspanins are small transmembrane proteins present on the cell surface of almost every eukaryotic cell. Through binding with other transmembrane and intracellular proteins, they regulate diverse cellular processes ranging from cell adhesion and motility to synapse formation and tumor progression. Here, we provide a brief overview of molecular, cellular and clinical studies to illustrate how the multiple functions of this fascinating family of molecules stem from their interplay with multiple molecular partners. In particular, we emphasize the special relationship between tetraspanins and the cell adhesion molecules integrins in regulating cell physiology in health and disease.
CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan, Italy.
Silvia
S
Bassani
Lorenzo A
LA
Cingolani
D001665:Binding Sites; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002462:Cell Membrane; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D038901:X-Linked Intellectual Disability / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015398:Signal Transduction; D059470:Tetraspanins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016023:Integrins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D059470:Tetraspanins