Table 1 Proteins involved in exosome biology and their functions

Tetraspanins

CD9, CD63, CD81, CD82, CD53

Play crucial roles in exosome biogenesis, cargo selection, targeting, and uptake.

ESCRT Machinery/MVB Biogenesis

Alix, TSG-101, Gag

Essential in the formation of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and exosome biogenesis through the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT).

Heat Shock Proteins

Hsp70, Hsp90, Hsc70, Hsp60, Hsp20, Hsp27

Involved in exosome release and signal transduction, stabilizing proteins during exosome biogenesis and secretion.

Membrane Transport and Fusion

Rab GTPases, Annexins (I, II, IV, V, VI), Dynamin, Syntaxin, AP-1, Arp2/3, SNAP

Crucial for exosome formation, trafficking, and fusion of membranes during secretion and uptake, with Rab5 and Rab7 being particularly important in sorting and release.

Antigen Presentation

MHC Class I, MHC Class II, CD86

Involved in antigen presentation for immune responses, facilitating T-cell activation.

Cytoskeletal Proteins

Actin, Vimentin, Talin, Ezrin, Tubulin, Cofilin, Moesin

Involved in maintaining vesicle integrity and facilitating exosome biogenesis and secretion.

Adhesion

P-selectin, CD146, CD166, ICAM-1, ALCAM, MAC-1, Integrin α chain, Integrins α4 ß1, LFA-3, CD53, CD326, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, MFG-E8/lactadherin

Facilitates exosome interaction with target cells for uptake and immune modulation.

Glycoproteins

β-galactosidase, O-linked glycans, N-linked glycans

Found on the surface of exosomes, contributing to targeting and uptake by recipient cells.

Growth Factors and Cytokines

TNF-α, TGF-β, TRAIL

Involved in exosome-mediated signaling and immune modulation, impacting inflammation and tumor progression.

Signal Transduction

Erk2, Fyn, RhoA, Catenin, Syntenin, LCK

Essential for exosome-mediated signal transduction, influencing cellular processes and intracellular signaling pathways.

Enzymes

Peroxiredoxin 1, Fatty acid synthase, Pyruvate kinase, ATP Citrate lyase

Involved in exosome cargo selection and intracellular signaling processes, participating in metabolism and cell growth.

Other Signaling Receptors

FasL, TNF receptor, Transferrin receptor

Found in exosomes and contribute to immune responses and apoptotic signaling.

Anti-apoptosis

Alix, Thioredoxine peroxidase

Plays a critical role in preventing apoptosis and regulating intracellular signaling during exosome trafficking.

Lipid Rafts

Flotillin-1, Cholesterol, LBPA, Stomatin

Integral in exosome membrane composition, contributing to biogenesis, cargo sorting, and vesicle stability.

Miscellaneous

Histone 1, 2, 3, Clathrin, Ferritin light chain 1 and 2, CD18, CD147, Complement factor 3, CD55, CD59

Includes diverse proteins involved in cargo selection, exosome trafficking, immune modulation, and intracellular signaling.