CD48
CD48 (CD48 molecule, also known as BLAST, BCM1 and SLAMF2) is a GPI-anchored cell surface glycoprotein of the CD2 subfamily of immunoglobulin-like receptors. It regulates immune cell function and activation by engaging receptors such as CD244/2B4 and CD2. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CD48 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CD48 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein that interacts through its N-terminal immunoglobulin domain with cell surface receptors including CD244/2B4 and CD2, regulating immune cell function and activation. In T-cell signalling, CD48 associates with CD2 and helps bring the Src family kinase LCK and LAT to the TCR/CD3 complex. This in turn promotes LCK phosphorylation and subsequent activation.
CD48 also induces phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine switch motifs (ITSMs) of CD244. This starts a series of signalling events that lead to formation of the immunological synapse and the directed release of cytolytic granules containing perforin and granzymes by T-lymphocytes and NK cells.
The CD48 gene encodes a member of the CD2 subfamily of immunoglobulin-like receptors, which includes the SLAM (signalling lymphocyte activation molecule) proteins. The CD48 protein is found on the surface of lymphocytes and other immune cells, dendritic cells and endothelial cells, where it participates in activation and differentiation pathways. It has no transmembrane domain and is held at the cell surface by a GPI anchor attached via a C-terminal domain. This domain may be cleaved to yield a soluble form of the receptor. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported. CD48 is listed by HGNC among the CD molecules and V-set domain containing proteins, and its previous name was CD48 antigen (B-cell membrane protein). Mouse and rat both have a Cd48 ortholog.
CD48 associates with CD2 and brings LCK and LAT to the TCR/CD3 complex, promoting LCK phosphorylation and activation.
CD48 engagement of CD244 drives ITSM phosphorylation, immunological synapse formation and release of perforin- and granzyme-containing granules.
As a ligand for CD244/2B4 and CD2, CD48 is a model for studying CD2 subfamily and SLAM-related receptor pairing.
The GPI anchor may be cleaved to release a soluble form, making CD48 relevant to studies of shedding at the cell surface.
CD48 is a GPI-anchored cell surface protein that binds receptors such as CD244/2B4 and CD2 to regulate immune cell activation. It promotes LCK recruitment and phosphorylation at the TCR/CD3 complex and supports immunological synapse formation and cytolytic granule release by T-cells and NK cells.
CD48 is also known as BLAST, BCM1, SLAMF2, mCD48 and hCD48, and its former name was CD48 antigen (B-cell membrane protein). Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described, and a soluble form may arise by cleavage of the GPI-anchored protein.
Mouse and rat each have a Cd48 ortholog of the human gene. The human protein belongs to the CD2 subfamily of immunoglobulin-like receptors that includes SLAM proteins. Please check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other CD molecules, T-cell and NK-cell signalling partners and immune cell surface markers with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P09326; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.