CD38

Multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein able to exert enzymatic activities and also to mobilize calcium, to transduce signals, to adhere to hyaluronan and to other ligands. Synthesizes cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a second messenger for glucose-induced insulin secretion. Synthesizes the Ca(2+) mobilizer nicotinate-adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NAADP(+), from 2'-phospho-cADPR and nicotinic acid, as well as from NADP(+) and nicotinic acid. At both pH 5.0 and pH 7.4 preferentially transforms 2'-phospho-cADPR into NAADP(+), while preferentially cleaving NADP(+) to cADPR and ADPRP rather than into NADDP(+). Has cADPR hydrolase activity. Functions also as a receptor that binds the ligand CD31 on endothelial cells, promoting lymphocyte activation, proliferation, and migration across the endothelial barrier. Involved in the regulation of crucial dendritic cell functions acquired at the mature stage, such as CCL21-driven migration, survival, and Th1-polarizing activity. In lamina propria T lymphocytes, CD38/CD31 cognate interactions initiate a multistep signaling pathway resulting in activation of LCK anf LAT, followed by cytokine release..

Function from UniProtKB (P28907), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.