Transmembrane 4 L6 family member 4 (TM4SF4)

Transmembrane 4 L6 family member 4 (TM4SF4) is a member of the transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF), with four membrane-spanning domains and two extracellular loops[1]. It is structurally similar to tetraspanins and primarily expressed in epithelial intestinal cells and hepatocytes, where it plays roles in cellular differentiation, migration, and interaction with other membrane proteins[1]. TM4SF4 is implicated in signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth, adhesion, motility, and tissue differentiation[1]. Elevated expression of TM4SF4 has been linked to various cancers (including colorectal, lung, and liver), where it influences tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapeutic treatments[1]. It is under investigation as both a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker, and its functional importance in cancer biology makes it a potential therapeutic target[1]. There are currently no clinically validated drugs targeting TM4SF4, and its detailed mechanisms of action as a drug target remain to be characterized.

Other names

Transmembrane 4 L six family member 4TM4SF4ILTMPIL-TMPil-TMPIntestine and liver tetraspan membrane proteinintestinal and liver tetraspan membrane proteintransmembrane 4 superfamily member 4