cell surface marker

Description

A molecule on the surface of a cell that is used to identify the type of cell.

Cell surface markers may be receptors that bind to specific substances and cause a response or action in the cell. They may also act as antigens that bind to specific antibodies.

Different cells can be identified or targeted based on cell surface markers. For example, certain cancer cells have specific proteins (antigens) on their surface. Monoclonal antibodies are used to target cancer cells by binding to a specific antigen on a cancer cell.

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