CD20 (MS4A1, membrane-spanning 4-domains, subfamily A, member 1) is a member of the membrane-spanning 4A gene family. Members of this nascent protein family are characterized by common structural features and similar intron/exon splice boundaries and display unique expression patterns among hematopoietic cells and nonlymphoid tissues. The CD20 antigen is present on human pre B lymphocytes and on B lymphocytes at all stages of maturation, except on plasma cells. Low level expression of the CD20 antigen has been detected on normal T lymphocytes. The CD20 molecule is involved in regulation of B cell differentiation, presumably via its reported function as a Ca++ channel subunit. And it is known to accelerate the G0 to G1 progression induced by IGF-1.
