Podoplanin

Podoplanin is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed in various tissues and cell types. It is encoded by the PDPN gene in humans. Podoplanin is involved in a variety of biological processes, including lymphangiogenesis, cell migration, and tumor metastasis.

Structure

Podoplanin is a small mucin-type transmembrane glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 38 kDa. It consists of an extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular domain is heavily O-glycosylated, which is important for its function.

Function

Podoplanin plays a crucial role in the development of the lymphatic system. It is expressed on the surface of lymphatic endothelial cells and is essential for the separation of blood and lymphatic vessels during embryonic development. Podoplanin interacts with the C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2) on platelets, which is important for maintaining the integrity of the lymphatic vasculature.

In addition to its role in lymphangiogenesis, podoplanin is involved in tumor progression and metastasis. It is often upregulated in various types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, and malignant mesothelioma. Podoplanin expression in tumors is associated with increased cell motility, invasion, and metastatic potential.

Clinical Significance

Podoplanin is used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of certain cancers. Its expression can be detected using immunohistochemistry in tissue samples. Podoplanin is also a target for therapeutic interventions aimed at inhibiting tumor metastasis.

Research

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which podoplanin contributes to cancer progression and metastasis. Studies are also exploring the potential of podoplanin as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment.

See Also

• Lymphatic system
• Tumor metastasis
• Glycoprotein

External Links

• Podoplanin Gene - NCBI
• Podoplanin - UniProt