Background:
Myeloid cell surface antigen CD33 also known as Sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin 3, CD33 antigen or Siglec-3, is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and SIGLEC (sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin) family. This Single-pass type I membrane protein contains 1 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain and 1 Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. CD33/Siglec-3 induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (in vitro). CD33/Siglec-3 can function as a sialic acid-dependent cell adhesion molecule and that binding can be modulated by endogenous sialoglycoconjugates when CD33 is expressed in a plasma membrane.