The protein encoded by this gene 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. This encoded protein is a cell surface glycoprotein and is highly similar in sequence and structure to transmembrane 4 superfamily member 1. It may play a role in cell proliferation, and overexpression of this protein may be associated with the uncontrolled growth of tumour cells.[6]
^"Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^"Mouse PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^Muller-Pillasch F, Wallrapp C, Lacher U, Friess H, Buchler M, Adler G, Gress TM (Mar 1998). "Identification of a new tumour-associated antigen TM4SF5 and its expression in human cancer". Gene. 208 (1): 25–30. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(97)00633-1. PMID9479038.
Berditchevski F (2002). "Complexes of tetraspanins with integrins: more than meets the eye". J. Cell Sci. 114 (Pt 23): 4143–51. doi:10.1242/jcs.114.23.4143. PMID11739647.
Lee SY, Kim YT, Lee MS, et al. (2006). "Focal adhesion and actin organization by a cross-talk of TM4SF5 with integrin alpha2 are regulated by serum treatment". Exp. Cell Res. 312 (16): 2983–99. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2006.06.001. hdl:10371/3238. PMID16828471.
Kaneko R, Tsuji N, Kamagata C, et al. (2002). "Amount of expression of the tumor-associated antigen L6 gene and transmembrane 4 superfamily member 5 gene in gastric cancers and gastric mucosa". Am. J. Gastroenterol. 96 (12): 3457–8. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.05355.x. PMID11774983. S2CID31864317.
