This gene encodes a member of the CD1 family of transmembrane glycoproteins, which are structurally related to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and form heterodimers with beta-2-microglobulin. The CD1 proteins mediate the presentation of primarily lipid and glycolipid antigens of self or microbial origin to T cells. The human genome contains five CD1 family genes organized in a cluster on chromosome 1. The CD1 family members are thought to differ in their cellular localization and specificity for particular lipid ligands. The protein encoded by this gene localizes within Golgi compartments, endosomes, and lysosomes, and is cleaved into a stable soluble form. The soluble form is required for the intracellular processing of some glycolipids into a form that can be presented by other CD1 family members. Many alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been descfunction:Required for the presentation of glycolipid antigens on the cell surface.,PTM:Mono-ubiquitinated.,PTM:Proteolytically cleaved in endosomes to yield a soluble form.,similarity:Contains 1 Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) domain.,subcellular location:Predominantly localized in the trans-Golgi network in immature dendritic cells, and as a cleaved, soluble protein in the lysosome lumen of mature dendritic cells.,subunit:Heterodimer with B2M (beta-2-microglobulin).,tissue specificity:Expressed on cortical thymocytes, dendritic cells, Langerhans cells, on certain T-cell leukemias, and in various other tissues.,
