General information on CD20 :
Cd20 protein is a 33-37 kDa polypeptide encoded by the MS4A1 gene in humans. The protein has three transmembrane hydrophobic regions. The 85 amino acid carboxyl terminal regions of the protein is located within the cytoplasm. The length of this region in particular contrasts with the structure of other B-cell specific structures such as IgM, IgD, IgG heavy chains. Due to its multiple membrane spanning, the protein structure of CD20 resembles to that of an ion channel. There are multiple forms of CD20 proteins which derive from different CD20 phosphorylation patterns. The human CD20 protein has four transmembrane protein and is not glycosylated. The protein has no known major sequence homology to other proteins.
The precised physiological role of the proteins remains unknown, however, it has been shown that the protein is involved in the regulation of B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. The CD20 protein is expressed on the surface of B-cells. CD20 protein has no known ligand. However, its function is to unable B-cell immune response, particularly against T-independent ligands. Their expression is upmodulated upon B-cell activation.
The protein is also expressed at the surface germinal center cells and mantel cells of the lymph node. CD20 is also dimly expressed by a subset of T lymphocytes displaying CD8+, CD28+, CD38+, CD45RO+, TCR+, HLA-DR-phenotype which has been described in bone marrow and peripheral blood.
CD20 protein is also present in follicular dendric cells.
CD20 has been reported to be linked to:
• Neoplastic diseases of B cell precursor
• Neoplastic diseases of T cell precursor
• Acute Leukemias
• Neoplastic diseases of mature B cells
• Neoplastic diseases of mature T and NK cells
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