| 背景信息 |
CD9 is a tetraspanin membrane protein (also called Tspan29) with four transmembrane helices and two extracellular loops, forming part of tetraspanin-enriched microdomains that organize partner proteins such as integrins, immunoglobulin superfamily members, and metalloproteases at the plasma membrane. It regulates cell adhesion, migration, membrane curvature, and signal transduction in many cell types, including leukocytes, endothelial cells, oocytes, and cancer cells, partly by clustering adhesion receptors (for example ICAM‑1, VCAM‑1, ALCAM) and modulating ADAM17 sheddase activity. Functionally, CD9 is crucial for sperm–egg membrane fusion and female fertility, and it also influences exosome biogenesis and uptake. Clinically, altered CD9 expression is linked to cancer progression and prognosis in several tumors, where it can either promote dissemination or restrain invasion depending on context, and it serves as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in acute leukemias and a potential therapeutic target. |