This product detects CD234, also known as DARC, a multi-pass membrane protein belonging to the G protein coupled Duffy family.

CD234 is a non-specific receptor for a number of cytokines including IL-8, GRO, RANTES, MCP-1 and TARC. CD234 also functions as the receptor for the malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax and P. knowlesi.

CD234 is also responsible for the Duffy blood group system where a substitution at position 42 of either Gly-42 or Asp-42 results in Fy(A) or Fy(B).

CD234 is present in adult kidney, adult spleen, bone marrow and fetal liver. In particular, it is expressed along post capillary venules throughout the body, except in the adult liver. Erythroid cells and post capillary venule endothelium are the principle tissues expressing duffy. Fy(-A-B) individuals do not express duffy in the bone marrow, however they do, in postcapillary venule endothelium.

It has been demonstrated that CD234 exists in multiple isoforms.