| Background | Thrombomodulin is also known as CD141 antigen and blood dendritic cell antigen 3 (BDCA3), which is encoded by the THBD gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of mouse THBD predicts a signal peptide (aa 1 to 16) and a mature chain (aa 17 to 577) that consists of the following domains: C-type lectin, EGF-like, transmembrane and cytoplasmic. Mouse THBD is corresponding to the extracellular portion of the type I membrane protein. Predominantly synthesized by vascular endothelial cells, THBD inhibits coagulation and fibrinolysis. It functions as a cell surface receptor and an essential cofactor for active thrombin, which in turn activates protein C and thrombinactivatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), also known as carboxypeptidase B2 (CPB2). In addition, THBD gene polymorphisims are associated with human disease and THBD plays a role in thrombosis, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and cancer. |
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