CD46 complement regulatory protein also known as CD46 (cluster of differentiation 46) and Membrane Cofactor Protein is a protein which in humans is encoded by the CD46 gene. [5] CD46 is an inhibitory complement receptor. [6]

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46), a ubiquitously expressed complement regulatory protein, serves as a cofactor for serine protease factor I to cleave and inactivate C3b and C4b deposited on host cells.

CD46 (membrane cofactor protein) acts as a human epithelial cell receptor for internalization of opsonized uropathogenic Escherichia coli. J Immunol. 2006;177:2543–51. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.4.2543.

CD46 not only protects cells from complement-mediated attack and facilitates infection by a large number of pathogens, but also exerts complex effects on cellular immune function.

CD46 is a widely expressed transmembrane protein that was initially identified as binding and inactivating C3b and C4b complement products. CD46 is also recognized by several human pathogens that use this surface protein as an entry receptor.

Oct 19, 2003 · We show that ectopic expression of human CD46 rendered nonhuman cells susceptible to infection with group B viruses in vitro and in vivo. In addition, both siRNA-mediated knockdown of CD46...

CD46 is also known as a pathogen magnet due to its role as a receptor for numerous microbes, including several species of measles virus and adenoviruses. Strains of these two viruses have been exploited as vectors for the therapeutic development of oncolytic agents targeting CD46.

Apr 13, 2011 · CD46 was discovered in 1986 during a search for novel C3b-binding proteins. CD46 is expressed ubiquitously and functions as a co-factor in the factor I-mediated proteolytic cleavage of C3b and C4b.

Jun 10, 2015 · Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) is an ubiquitously expressed complement regulatory protein that protects host cells from injury by complement. This type-I membrane glycoprotein serves as a cofactor for the serine protease factor I to mediate inactivation of C3b and C4b deposited on host cells.

We have previously demonstrated that adenovirus type 11 (species B) uses CD46 (membrane cofactor protein) as a cellular receptor instead of the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (A. Segerman et al., J. Virol. 77: 9183-9191, 2003).