CD2 Gene: Function, Expression, and Disease Associations | Biomedical Resource

The CD2 gene encodes a cell adhesion molecule and transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and thymocytes. CD2 functions as a ligand for LFA-3 (CD58) and CD48, mediating cell-cell adhesion and co-stimulatory signals for T-cell activation. It plays a critical role in immune synapse formation, T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, and NK cell cytotoxicity. CD2 is also involved in T-cell development and differentiation. Aberrant CD2 expression or function has been implicated in autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and certain hematological malignancies.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• T cell receptor signaling pathway

• Natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity

• Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)

• Costimulation by the CD28 family

• Immune synapse formation

The CD2 protein is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein of approximately 55 kDa, composed of two extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains (V and C2), a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular domains mediate binding to CD58 (LFA-3) in humans and CD48 in rodents. The cytoplasmic tail contains proline-rich motifs that interact with intracellular signaling molecules such as Lck, Fyn, and CD2AP, linking adhesion to T-cell activation. CD2 is heavily glycosylated and expressed on the surface of T cells, NK cells, and thymocytes. Its primary functions include promoting cell-cell adhesion, enhancing TCR-mediated signaling, and facilitating NK cell cytotoxicity. CD2 also plays a role in T-cell development and memory T-cell responses.