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CD151

Protein-coding gene in humans

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
1 min read
Source updated September 16, 2026
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CD151 molecule (Raph blood group), also known as CD151 (Cluster of Differentiation 151), is a human gene.

01Function

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 that is known to complex with integrins and other transmembrane 4 superfamily proteins. It is involved in cellular processes including cell adhesion and may regulate integrin trafficking and/or function. This protein enhances cell motility, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants that encode the same protein have been described for this gene. Abnormalities in CD151 have been implicated in a form of epidermolysis bullosa.

Fibrosarcoma cells, reportedly stained with an antibody binding to CD151 (green) and a dye for the nucleus (blue).
Fibrosarcoma cells, reportedly stained with an antibody binding to CD151 (green) and a dye for the nucleus (blue).

02Interactions

CD151 has been shown to interact with CD46.

Watch videos about CD151Explainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “CD151”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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Related topics

Cluster of differentiation

The cluster of differentiation is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules providing targets for immunophenotyping of cells. In terms of physiology, CD molecules can act in numerous ways, often acting as receptors or ligands important to the cell.

Tetraspanin

Tetraspanins are a family of membrane proteins found in all multicellular eukaryotes also referred to as the transmembrane 4 superfamily proteins. These proteins have four transmembrane alpha-helices and two extracellular domains, one short (called the small extracellular domain or loop, SED/SEL or EC1) and one longer, typically 100 amino acid residues (the large extracellular domain/loop, LED/LEL or EC2).