Podoplanin

PDPN, i.e., podoplanin, is a small glycoprotein located on the surface membranes of various cell types. While termed PDPN in humans, it is often named: a) OTS-8, gp38, aggrus, antigen PA2.26, or RANDAM-2 (i.e., retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiated-associated molecule-2) in mice; b) T1α protein or E11 antigen in rats; c) aggrus or gp40 in canines; and d) aggrus in hamsters and cows. Human PDPN is encoded by the PDPN gene located on the "p", i.e., short, arm of chromosome 1, region 3, band 1 (location notated as 1p36.21; see Gene nomenclature). This gene directs the formation of PDPN messenger RNA (i.e., mRNA) which in turn directs formation of the PDPN glycoprotein. Here, the term PDPN is used for the non-human as well as human glycoprotein, PDPN is used for the human gene, and Pdpn is used for the animal gene.

Studies to date have suggested that PDPN acts to promote or inhibit a wide range of physiological and pathological reactions in rodents and, in a few studies, humans. However, almost all of these studies are preliminary and require far larger follow-up studies to determine if regulating PDPN levels could be used in humans to treat the various PDPN-regulated functional responses and PDPD-induced disorders. Indeed, studies have not yet determined if the promotion or inhibition of PDPN actions can be used safely in humans.