Figure 4.
Classes of tetraspanins. Based on the analysis illustrated for the examples Tspan6, CD81 and CD82 (Fig. 3), all tetraspanins and their isoforms were classified as mono-, di-, tri- or tetraspanins. Subclasses result from the type of remaining TMSs, or whether a novel TMS is formed. Alteration of the N- or C- terminus, or the LEL define further subclasses. Isoforms with a partially or completely inverted topology are marked by an asterisk.