<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<div class="infobox-header">CD63 Molecule</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Gene Symbol</span><span class="infobox-value">CD63</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Full Name</span><span class="infobox-value">CD63 Antigen (LAMP-3)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Chromosomal Location</span><span class="infobox-value">12q13.2</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">NCBI Gene ID</span><span class="infobox-value">[967](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/967)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">OMIM</span><span class="infobox-value">[127730](https://omim.org/entry/127730)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Ensembl ID</span><span class="infobox-value">ENSG00000135404</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">UniProt ID</span><span class="infobox-value">[P23142](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P23142)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Protein Class</span><span class="infobox-value">Tetraspanin, LAMP family</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Associated Diseases</span><span class="infobox-value">[Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), Neurodegeneration</span></div>
</div>
<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<div class="infobox-header">CD63 Molecule</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Gene Symbol</span><span class="infobox-value">CD63</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Full Name</span><span class="infobox-value">CD63 Antigen (LAMP-3)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Chromosomal Location</span><span class="infobox-value">12q13.2</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">NCBI Gene ID</span><span class="infobox-value">[967](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/967)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">OMIM</span><span class="infobox-value">[127730](https://omim.org/entry/127730)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Ensembl ID</span><span class="infobox-value">ENSG00000135404</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">UniProt ID</span><span class="infobox-value">[P23142](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P23142)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Protein Class</span><span class="infobox-value">Tetraspanin, LAMP family</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Associated Diseases</span><span class="infobox-value">[Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), Neurodegeneration</span></div>
</div>
CD63 (Cluster of Differentiation 63), also known as LAMP-3 (Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein 3), is a member of the tetraspanin superfamily that plays crucial roles in membrane trafficking, lysosomal function, and exosome biogenesis. Located on chromosome 12q13.2 with NCBI Gene ID 967, CD63 is a highly glycosylated transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in intracellular vesicles, including lysosomes, endosomes, and secretory granules[@matila1995][@tomlinson1999].
CD63 has emerged as a significant player in neurodegenerative disease research due to its critical involvement in lysosomal dysfunction, protein aggregation, and intercellular transmission of pathogenic proteins. The protein is particularly notable for its role in exosome formation and secretion, which has implications for the spread of alpha-synuclein in [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) and amyloid-beta in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)[@deford2016][@masliah2010].
The CD63 gene spans approximately 12 kb on chromosome 12q13.2 and consists of 7 exons. The gene produces multiple transcript variants through alternative splicing, with the canonical isoform encoding a 238-amino acid protein.
The CD63 protein exhibits characteristic tetraspanin architecture: N-terminal extracellular domain (heavily glycosylated), four transmembrane domains (form the tetraspanin web), and short intracellular N- and C-terminal tails (contain sorting motifs for lysosomal targeting).
CD63 is one of the most heavily glycosylated membrane proteins, with sugar chains comprising up to 50% of its molecular mass. This extensive glycosylation is critical for protection from proteolytic degradation, mediating protein-protein interactions, facilitating receptor-ligand interactions, and regulation of lysosomal targeting.
CD63 integrates into the tetraspanin web, a membrane microdomain that organizes various signaling receptors and adhesion molecules.
CD63 shows distinct expression patterns across cell types: platelets (very high), megakaryocytes (high), melanocytes (high), neurons (moderate), microglia (high), astrocytes (moderate), oligodendrocytes (moderate), and endothelial cells (variable).
In the central nervous system, CD63 is expressed in cerebral cortex (pyramidal neurons and interneurons), hippocampus (CA1-CA3 regions, dentate gyrus granule cells), basal ganglia (striatal medium spiny neurons), substantia nigra (dopaminergic neurons), cerebellum (Purkinje cells), and brainstem (various nuclei).
CD63 primarily localizes to lysosomes (primary storage compartment), late endosomes (multivesicular body formation), secretory granules (regulated secretion), plasma membrane (upon activation/exocytosis), and exosomes (released extracellular vesicles).
CD63 is essential for maintaining lysosomal membrane integrity and function[@eskelinen2005][@saftig2008]. It provides membrane stability through tetraspanin interactions, regulates lysosomal acidification through v-ATPase assembly, prevents leakage of hydrolytic enzymes by retaining cathepsins, and facilitates autophagosome-lysosome fusion for autophagy regulation.
CD63 is one of the most enriched proteins in exosomes and plays a central role in their formation[@valadi2007][@peng2019]. It participates in multivesicular body formation, mediates incorporation of specific proteins and RNAs for cargo selection, controls exosome secretion kinetics, and facilitates exosome uptake by recipient cells.
CD63 regulates various trafficking pathways including endosomal sorting, lysosomal targeting, secretory granule formation, and synaptic vesicle function.
Through its integration in tetraspanin microdomains, CD63 modulates integrin function for cell adhesion, regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics for cell migration, affects immune synapse formation, and facilitates intercellular signaling.
CD63 has emerged as a significant player in [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) pathogenesis through multiple mechanisms[@deford2016][@kuroda2016][@masliah2010].
One of the most important findings linking CD63 to PD is its role in exosome-mediated secretion of alpha-synuclein[@emmanouilidou2010][@masliah2010]. CD63 facilitates incorporation of alpha-synuclein into exosomes. Exosomal alpha-synuclein can propagate pathology through cell-to-cell transmission.
CD63 dysfunction contributes to lysosomal impairment in PD[@tomlinson1999][@huotari2012]. This leads to autophagy blockade through impaired autophagosome-lysosome fusion, protein aggregate accumulation due to reduced clearance of alpha-synuclein, and mitochondrial dysfunction from lysosomal stress.
CD63 on microglia mediates neuroinflammatory responses[@martinez2015][@lachmann2014]. CD63 regulates TNF-alpha and IL-1beta secretion for pro-inflammatory cytokine release and modulates microglial phagocytic activity.
CD63 involvement in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) spans multiple pathological mechanisms[@badi2018].
CD63 regulates the secretion of amyloid-beta in exosomes. It modulates amyloid precursor protein trafficking and affects BACE1 access to APP.
LAMP proteins including CD63 are critical for lysosomal function in AD[@nixon2013][@boya2016]. The autophagy-lysosome pathway is impaired in AD brain.
CD63 modulates neuroinflammatory responses in AD. It regulates inflammatory mediator release for microglial activation and controls cytokine production.
CD63 function is particularly relevant to lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs)[@bonifacino2003].
CD63 and other LAMP proteins are implicated in NCL[@vanmeel2019].
LAMP2 mutations (CD63 paralog) cause Danon disease[@anderson2012].
CD63 has been implicated in Multiple System Atrophy, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, and Frontotemporal Dementia.
CD63 on circulating exosomes shows promise as a biomarker[@peng2019]. It is detectable in blood and CSF. Levels correlate with disease severity.
Modulating CD63 function could provide therapeutic benefits: Exosome secretion inhibitors (preclinical), lysosomal function enhancers (early clinical), CD63-targeted antibodies (preclinical), and gene therapy (experimental).
CD63 interacts with various proteins including Other LAMPs (LAMP-1/2), Tetraspanins (CD9, CD81), Integrins, SNAREs, and Clathrin.
CD63 modulates several signaling pathways including PI3K/Akt pathway for cell survival signaling, MAPK/ERK pathway for proliferation and differentiation, NF-kappaB pathway for inflammatory responses, and mTOR pathway for autophagy regulation.
Research uses flow cytometry for surface CD63 on cells, immunohistochemistry for tissue localization, Western blot for protein expression analysis, ELISA for quantitation in biological fluids, and mass spectrometry for proteomic analysis.
Research uses cell lines including HEK293, SH-SY5Y, PC12; primary neurons from mouse/rat cortical cultures; iPSC-derived neurons for patient-specific models; animal models including transgenic and knockout mice; and organoids for brain organoid systems.
Key molecular relationships involving CD63 from the SciDEX knowledge graph:
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving CD63 discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: