CD2

CD2 (cluster of differentiation 2), also known as T-cell surface antigen T11/Leu-5, LFA-3 receptor, or LFA-2, is a cell adhesion molecule identified on the surface of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and it is encoded by the CD2 gene. The molecular weight of CD2 is a 50-kDa, and it is the receptor for CD15, CD58 (major ligand for CD2), CD48, and CD59. Initially, CD2 was described as the sheep erythrocyte receptor because it induces T and NK cells to generate rosettes upon incubation with sheep red cells.
Importantly, the engagement of the CD2 antigen with its ligands leads to T-cell activation and proliferation. In humans, CD2 is mostly expressed on thymocytes and peripheral T cells (more than 95%), however, is absent in a small subset of T cells. Besides, in memory and naive T cells, the expression levels of CD2 are different, reflecting differential activation demands. In addition, CD2 is also reported to be the prognostic marker in renal cancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Gene ID: 914
UniProt ID: P06729