The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the transmembrane 4 superfamily, also known as the tetraspanin family. Most of these members are cell-surface proteins that are characterized by the presence of four hydrophobic domains.
The proteins mediate signal transduction events that play a role in the regulation of cell development, activation, growth and motility. This encoded protein is found in the asymmetrical unit membrane (AUM) where it can complex with other transmembrane 4 superfamily proteins.
It may play a role in normal bladder epithelial physiology, possibly in regulating membrane permeability of superficial umbrella cells or in stabilizing the apical membrane through AUM/cytoskeletal interactions.[7]
^Yuasa T, Yoshiki T, Isono T, Tanaka T, Hayashida H, Okada Y (Sep 1999). "Expression of transitional cell-specific genes, uroplakin Ia and II, in bladder cancer: detection of circulating cancer cells in the peripheral blood of metastatic patients". Int J Urol. 6 (6): 286–92. doi:10.1046/j.1442-2042.1999.00064.x. PMID10404304. S2CID43597402.
Berditchevski F (2002). "Complexes of tetraspanins with integrins: more than meets the eye". J. Cell Sci. 114 (Pt 23): 4143–51. doi:10.1242/jcs.114.23.4143. PMID11739647.
Yuasa T, Yoshiki T, Isono T, et al. (2004). "Molecular cloning and expression of uroplakins in transitional cell carcinoma". Bladder Disease, Part A. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. Vol. 539. pp. 33–46. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-8889-8_3. ISBN978-1-4613-4707-1. PMID15088894.
Hall GD, Weeks RJ, Olsburgh J, et al. (2005). "Transcriptional control of the human urothelial-specific gene, uroplakin Ia". Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1729 (2): 126–34. doi:10.1016/j.bbaexp.2005.04.004. PMID15913809.
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