CD59, also named as MIC11, MIN1, MIN2, MIN3, MSK21, MIRL, MACIF, HRF20 and 1F5 antigen, is a cell surface molecule glycoprotein with MW 18-25kd. It acts as a determinant of proximal¨Cdistal cell identity. CD59 acts by binding to the C8 and/or C9 complements of the assembling membrane attack complex (MAC), thereby preventing incorporation of the multiple copies of C9 required for complete formation of the osmolytic pore. It is involved in signal transduction for T-cell activation complexed to a protein tyrosine kinase.
