Tetraspanin 4 (TSPAN4)

Tetraspanin 4 (TSPAN4) is a cell surface glycoprotein that contains four transmembrane domains characteristic of the tetraspanin family. It plays a critical role in the formation and stabilization of migrasomes, which are specialized extracellular vesicles involved in cell-cell communication, lateral transfer of RNA and proteins, removal of damaged mitochondria, and organ morphogenesis. TSPAN4 is essential for proper migrasome biogenesis; its recruitment to membrane swellings and retraction fibers facilitates stable migrasome maturation. The protein interacts with integrins and forms tetraspanin-enriched microdomains that regulate cellular processes such as adhesion, motility, fusion, and signaling. Expression of TSPAN4 has been implicated in cancer progression, cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (where its upregulation is associated with unstable plaques), and rare variants have been linked to congenital defects such as bladder exstrophy. TSPAN4 also interacts with other cell-surface receptors, like the histamine H4 receptor, fine-tuning their activity, but does not directly affect their core G protein signaling.

Other names

TM4SF7NAG2NAG-2TSPAN-4TETRASPANNovel antigen 2Transmembrane 4 superfamily member 7tetraspan TM4SF