CD74

CD74, also known as IL, DHLAG, HLADG, Ia-GAMMA, or the invariant chain, is a B cell surface protein that is functionally important for the regulation of antigen presentation for immune responses. It is associated with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and contains one thyroglobulin type-1 domain in its protein sequence. CD74 functions in the MHC class II antigen processing, where it stabilizes the peptide-free class II alpha/beta heterodimer complex and transports this complex from ER to the endosomal/lysosomal system for antigen processing and MHC binding. It is also a cell surface receptor for cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and promotes cell proliferation upon ligand interaction. CD74 has also been found to interact with amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in the suppression of amyloid beta (Abeta) production.

Abnormal CD74 interaction with MIF has been proven as a prognostic factor in several cancers and it is recently demonstrated as an important factor for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). CD74 is associate with a variety of cancer types, including colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, lymphoma…, making it an excellent target for cancer immunotherapies.

Entrez Gene ID: 972
UniProt ID: P04233