The protein encoded by this gene is a cell-surface glycoprotein and type I membrane protein that was originally identified as a myeloid cell-specific marker. The encoded protein was once thought to be a receptor for C1q, but now is thought to instead be involved in intercellular adhesion and in the clearance of apoptotic cells. The intracellular cytoplasmic tail of this protein has been found to interact with moesin, a protein known to play a role in linking transmembrane proteins to the cytoskeleton and in the remodelling of the cytoskeleton. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in mice demonstrated that the CD93 transcript, a marker for cell adhesion, was upregulated 3.0-fold in the injured ipsilateral neocortex three days after a closed head injury, indicating its involvement in the inflammatory response to mild traumatic brain injury [Israelsson et al. DOI:10.1089/neu.2008.0676]. In human forensic genetics, the CD93 gene was identified as a candidate mRNA biomarker for body fluid identification, being expressed in blood and detectable via whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing from low template samples [Jepsen et al. DOI:10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103089]. A study in humans demonstrated that the CD93 is a stable mRNA marker for blood identification, showing a blood-specific expression pattern with no detectable amplification in semen and remaining detectable in stains aged up to 180 days [Zubakov et al. DOI:10.1007/s00414-007-0182-6]. Subsequent research confirmed its stability and reliability in much older forensic samples, as the CD93 was successfully amplified from 13–16-year-old blood stains with 100% reproducibility between individuals from large stains and remained detectable in small stains [Zubakov et al. DOI:10.1007/s00414-008-0249-z].