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 may have a role in the control of neurite outgrowth. It is known to complex with integrins. This gene is associated with X-linked mental retardation and neuropsychiatric diseases such as Huntington's chorea, fragile X syndrome and myotonic dystrophy.[6] More recently, it has been identified as a key immune system target in type 1 diabetes.[7]
Castellví-Bel S, Milà M (2001). "Genes responsible for nonspecific mental retardation". Mol. Genet. Metab. 72 (2): 104–8. doi:10.1006/mgme.2000.3128. PMID11161835.
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.
Takagi S, Fujikawa K, Imai T, et al. (1995). "Identification of a highly specific surface marker of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastoma as a new member of the transmembrane 4 superfamily". Int. J. Cancer. 61 (5): 706–15. doi:10.1002/ijc.2910610519. PMID7768645. S2CID20745142.
Virtaneva KI, Emi N, Marken JS, et al. (1994). "Chromosomal localization of three human genes coding for A15, L6, and S5.7 (TAPA1): all members of the transmembrane 4 superfamily of proteins". Immunogenetics. 39 (5): 329–34. doi:10.1007/BF00189229. PMID8168850. S2CID22971645.
Emi N, Kitaori K, Seto M, et al. (1993). "Isolation of a novel cDNA clone showing marked similarity to ME491/CD63 superfamily". Immunogenetics. 37 (3): 193–8. doi:10.1007/BF00191884. PMID8420826. S2CID20116250.
Hosokawa Y, Ueyama E, Morikawa Y, et al. (2000). "Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding mouse A15, a member of the transmembrane 4 superfamily, and its preferential expression in brain neurons". Neurosci. Res. 35 (4): 281–90. doi:10.1016/S0168-0102(99)00093-0. PMID10617319. S2CID37549217.
Zemni R, Bienvenu T, Vinet MC, et al. (2000). "A new gene involved in X-linked mental retardation identified by analysis of an X;2 balanced translocation". Nat. Genet. 24 (2): 167–70. doi:10.1038/72829. PMID10655063. S2CID23569622.
Maranduba CM, Sá Moreira E, Müller Orabona G, et al. (2004). "Does the P172H mutation at the TM4SF2 gene cause X-linked mental retardation?". Am. J. Med. Genet. A. 124 (4): 413–5. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.20401. PMID14735593. S2CID33539823.