What is CD38?

CD38 is a non-lineage-restricted, transmembrane glycoprotein that synthesizes and hydrolyzes cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate-ribose. CD38 can release soluble proteins and become internalized within the cell, exhibiting ectoenzymatic activity as a functional receptor and adhesion molecule. CD38 has an N-terminal cytoplasmic tail, a single membrane-spanning domain, and a C-terminal extracellular region with multiple N-glycosylation sites, whose catalytic activity resides at the center of the molecule. Associated diseases to CD38 include plasmablastic lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Detection and quantitative analysis methods include flow cytometry, Western Blot, IHC techniques, and statistical analysis. Variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR) tetramers have been newly used to detect CD38. Many associated studies are related to daratumumab, a human IgG1k mAb that targets CD38 and functions to eliminate multiple myeloma cells.

Cell Types

• Hematopoietic bone marrow progenitors
• Neural cells
• Thymocytes
• NK cells
• Monocytes
• Activated T- and B- lymphocytes

Reference

1. van de Donk, N., Richardson, P. G., & Malavasi, F. (2018). CD38 antibodies in multiple myeloma: back to the future. Blood, 131(1), 13–29. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2017-06-740944