CD20 is a non-glycosylated phosphoprotein expressed on the surface of all mature B-cells.

Membrane-spanning 4-domains, subfamily A, member 1, also known as MS4A1, is a human gene.^[1]

Function

The protein has no known natural ligand^[2] and its function is unclear. It is suspected that it acts as a calcium channel in the cell membrane. It is also found on B-cell lymphomas, hairy cell leukemia, and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is also found on skin/melanoma cancer stem cells.^[3]

Clinical significance

It is the target of the monoclonal antibodies rituximab, Ibritumomab tiuxetan, and tositumomab, which are all active agents in the treatment of all B cell lymphomas and leukemias. Additional antibody therapeutics under development (phase II or III clinical trials) include AME-133v (Applied Molecular Evolution), Ocrelizumab (Roche), Ofatumumab (Genmab), TRU-015 (Trubion) and IMMU-106 (Immunomedics).^[4]

FMC7 appears to be a conformational variant.^[5]

References

Further reading

External links

• representations of the shape are found here and more detail here

es:CD20