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. Alternatively spliced transcripts encoding the same protein have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2009].
Kotha J, Zhang C, Longhurst CM, Lu Y, Jacobs J, Cheng Y, Jennings LK (2009). "Functional relevance of tetraspanin CD9 in vascular smooth muscle cell injury phenotypes: a novel target for the prevention of neointimal hyperplasia". Atherosclerosis. 203 (2): 377–86. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.07.036. PMID18799160.