CD151 (PETA-3/SFA-1) is a member of the Transmembrane 4 Superfamily (TM4SF) of cell-surface proteins and, like other TM4SF members CD9 and CD63, is expressed by platelets, megakaryocytes and endothelial cells. The precise function of CD151 is unknown however complexes containing CD151 and beta1 integrins have been isolated from a number of cell systems and studies using anti-CD151 monoclonal antibodies have suggested a role in transmembrane signalling and cell adhesion. To further investigate the function of CD151 we have determined the genomic organisation of mouse CD151 (Cd151). Cd151 spans 4 kb and contains six coding region exons. Using 5' RACE and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we have identified three 5' UTR splice variants which arise through alternate splicing of three exons. Splice variants were detected in a number of mouse tissues by RT-PCR. Analysis of the Cd151 genomic structure reveals a high degree of structural conservation with other TM4SF molecules supporting the theory that family members have arisen from gene duplication of a common ancestral gene. Cd151 maps to chromosome 7, in close linkage to the p gene (OCA2 in humans), and helps define a boundary in the human/mouse homology relationships.
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