SLAMF7 Gene - Function, Expression, and Clinical Significance

SLAMF7 (Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 7) encodes a cell surface glycoprotein belonging to the CD2 subset of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The protein is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, activated B cells, plasma cells, and subsets of T cells. It functions as a self-ligand receptor that mediates NK cell activation and cytotoxicity through interaction with the adaptor protein SAP (SH2D1A). SLAMF7 is also implicated in B cell adhesion and immune synapse formation. In multiple myeloma, SLAMF7 is highly expressed on malignant plasma cells and serves as a therapeutic target for the monoclonal antibody elotuzumab.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• Natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity (KEGG hsa04650)

• SLAM family signaling (Reactome R-HSA-2132295)

• Immunoregulatory interactions between a Lymphoid and a non-Lymphoid cell (Reactome R-HSA-198933)

SLAMF7 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein of 335 amino acids with an extracellular region containing one Ig-like V-type domain and one Ig-like C2-type domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail containing immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motifs (ITSMs). The protein homodimerizes and binds to itself in trans, mediating cell-cell adhesion. In NK cells, engagement of SLAMF7 recruits the adaptor SAP (SH2D1A) and activates downstream signaling via FYN kinase, leading to cytotoxicity and cytokine production. In multiple myeloma, SLAMF7 is highly expressed and targeted by elotuzumab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that induces ADCC and enhances NK cell activity.