CD gene family

Reviewed February 2012

What are the CD genes?

The CD genes belong to a large family of genes called the cluster of differentiation. Many CD genes provide instructions for making proteins that are found on the surface of white blood cells (leukocytes) at various stages of their development. These proteins help the white blood cells interact with the body's tissues and attack bacteria, viruses, and other invaders.

Other members of the CD gene family work outside of the immune system. For example, some CD genes play a role in cell signaling and the development of the nervous system.

Most of the genes in this family are designated by the letters CD and a number corresponding to the specific gene within the family, such as CD132. Many of the genes in the CD gene family also have other names that may be more commonly used. For example, the CD132 gene is also called IL2RG.

Which genes are included in the CD gene family?

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) provides a list of genes in the CD family (http://www.genenames.org/genefamily/cd.php).

Genetics Home Reference summarizes the normal function and health implications of these members of the CD gene family: ALK, BMPR1A, CD40LG, CDH1, CSF1R, ENG, ERBB2, FAS, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FZD4, IL2RG, IL7R, ITGA6, ITGB4, JAG1, KIT, L1CAM, LAMP2, MPL, PDGFRA, PRNP, TNFRSF1A, TNFRSF11A, and TNFRSF13B.

What conditions are related to genes in the CD gene family?

Genetics Home Reference includes these conditions related to genes in the CD gene family:

achondroplasia
Alagille syndrome
Apert syndrome
autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome
bladder cancer
breast cancer
common variable immune deficiency
Crouzonodermoskeletal syndrome
Crouzon syndrome
Danon disease
epidermal nevus
epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia
essential thrombocythemia
familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
gastrointestinal stromal tumor
hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids
hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Huntington disease-like syndrome
hypochondroplasia
Jackson-Weiss syndrome
juvenile polyposis syndrome
Kallmann syndrome
L1 syndrome
Muenke syndrome
multiple sclerosis
neuroblastoma
osteopetrosis
Paget disease of bone
PDGFRA-associated chronic eosinophilic leukemia
Pfeiffer syndrome
piebaldism
primary myelofibrosis
prion disease
SADDAN
thanatophoric dysplasia
tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome
Wilson disease
X-linked hyper IgM syndrome
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Where can I find additional information about the CD gene family?

You may find the following resources about the CD gene family helpful.

Human Cell Differentiation Molecules (http://www.hcdm.org/)
Immunobiology (2001, fifth edition): CD Antigens (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=imm&part=A2496)
Spinal Cord Medicine Principles and Practice (2003, first edition): Inflammatory and Immunologic Responses in the Normal Host (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?&rid=spinalcord.section.1718&WebEnv=0hA0vdmZp_9OBDymihQVR-TYpGOW1m0EmWHQCSjaEp0t1T6UYqfZwcYlxln1iH9rdElxmQ_Rfo7ys4%4025631D926FD170A0_0152SID&WebEnvRq=1)

What glossary definitions help with understanding the CD gene family?

adhesion molecule ; antigens ; bacteria ; cell ; cell adhesion ; differentiation ; epithelial ; FAS ; fibroblast ; gene ; glioblastoma ; growth factor ; immune system ; kinase ; leukemia ; ligand ; lymphoma ; molecule ; necrosis ; nervous system ; oncogene ; prion ; protein ; receptor ; sarcoma ; tumor ; tyrosine ; virus ; white blood cells

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).

References

These sources were used to develop the Genetics Home Reference summary for the CD gene family.

Zola H. Medical applications of leukocyte surface molecules--the CD molecules. Mol Med. 2006 Nov-Dec;12(11-12):312-6. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17380197?dopt=Abstract)
Zola H. Human leukocyte differentiation antigens as therapeutic targets: the CD molecules and CD antibodies. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2001 May;1(3):375-83. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11727512?dopt=Abstract)

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.



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