MAFA

For other uses, see Mafa (disambiguation).

MAFA (Mast cell function-associated antigen) is a type II membrane glycoprotein, first identified on the surface of rat mucosal-type mast cells of the RBL-2H3 line. More recently, human and mouse homologues of MAFA have been discovered yet also (or only) expressed by NK and T-cells.[1] MAFA is closely linked with the type 1 Fcɛ receptors in not only mucosal mast cells of humans and mice but also in the serosal mast cells of these same organisms.[2]

It has the ability to function as both a channel for calcium ions along with interact with other receptors to inhibit certain cell processes. It function is based on its specialized structure, which contains many specialized motifs and sequences that allow its functions to take place.[3]

  1. ^ Abramson; Jakub Abramson; Rong Xu; Israel Pecht (September 2002). "An unusual inhibitory receptor—the mast cell function-associated antigen (MAFA)". Molecular Immunology. 38 (16–18): 1307–1313. doi:10.1016/S0161-5890(02)00080-9. PMID 12217400.
  2. ^ Ortega E, Schneider H, Pecht I. Possible interactions between the Fc epsilon receptor and a novel mast cell function-associated antigen. Int Immunol. 1991 Apr;3(4):333-42. doi: 10.1093/intimm/3.4.333. PMID 1831652.
  3. ^ Bocek P Jr, Guthmann MD, Pecht I. Analysis of the genes encoding the mast cell function-associated antigen and its alternatively spliced transcripts. J Immunol. 1997 Apr 1;158(7):3235-43. PMID 9120279.