CD133
Encyclopedia
CD133, originally known as AC133. CD133 is a glycoprotein
Glycoprotein
Glycoproteins are proteins that contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycosylation. In proteins that have segments extending...

 also known in humans and rodents as Prominin 1 (PROM1). Currently the function of CD133 is unknown. It is a member of pentaspan transmembrane glycoproteins (5-transmembrane, 5-TM), which specifically localize to cellular protrusions.

CD133 is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial progenitor cell
Endothelial progenitor cell
Endothelial progenitor cells are a population of rare cells that circulate in the blood with the ability to differentiate into endothelial cells, the cells that make up the lining of blood vessels. The process by which blood vessels are born de novo from endothelial progenitor cells is known as...

s, glioblastoma, neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...

al and glial
Glial cell
Glial cells, sometimes called neuroglia or simply glia , are non-neuronal cells that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons in the brain, and for neurons in other parts of the nervous system such as in the autonomous nervous system...

 stem cell
Stem cell
This article is about the cell type. For the medical therapy, see Stem Cell TreatmentsStem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells...

s, various pediatric brain tumors, as well as adult kidney, mammary glands, trachea, salivary glands, placenta, digestive tract, testes, and some other cell types.

Recent studies in brain tumors have identified a CD133+ cell population thought to be a cancer stem cell population, which is rare, undergoes self-renewal and differentiation, and can propagate tumors when injected into immune-compromised mice. However, subsequent studies have indicated the difficulty in isolating pure CSC populations.

External links

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