The tetraspanin protein CD9 modulates infection with human herpesvirus 6A and 6B in a CD46-dependent manner.

Tetraspanins are four-span transmembrane proteins that organize the membrane by forming tetraspanin-enriched microdomains. These have been shown to be important for virus entry. The human herpesvirus (HHV)-6A receptor CD46 is known to form complexes with the tetraspanin CD9 and β1-integrins, however the significance of this for HHV-6A infection remains unexplored.