IGSF8

IGSF8, or Immunoglobulin superfamily member 8, alias EWI-2, PGRL (Prostate and Gastric Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule), etc. IGSF8 is a cell surface protein belonging to the Immunoglobulin superfamily, which is expressed in a variety of tissues, and is particularly important in the nervous system and the immune system.The mechanism of action of IGSF8 involves interactions with a variety of proteins, in particular binding to tetraspanins (tetraspanins) such as CD9, CD81, etc., to form so-called tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs), which play a role in regulating cell morphology, cell motility, invasion, fusion and signaling. IGSF8 is involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, cell polarity, and cell migration through interactions with these partner proteins.

The biological significance of IGSF8 is mainly reflected in its regulation of cell adhesion and cell-cell interactions. In the nervous system, IGSF8 plays a role in the development of sensory neuron axons and synapse formation, especially in the olfactory system, where it is highly expressed in olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axons and the synapses they form, and is closely associated with synapse maturation and organization. In addition, IGSF8 is involved in immune cell functions, including the regulation of natural killer (NK) cell activity, and it plays an important role in tumor immune escape by inhibiting NK cell cytotoxicity through interactions with inhibitory receptors on NK cells such as KIR3DL2. Thus, IGSF8 not only plays a key role in the development and function of the nervous system, but is also a potential target in immunomodulation and cancer immunotherapy.