TEMs play a key role in TSPAN function. TEMs are dynamic membrane entities that play a key role in mediating interactions with the BM. TSPANs act as scaffolding proteins to bring together many proteins with similar functions such as CAMs (like integrins and immunoglobulin superfamily [IgSF] members) and signaling receptors (G protein–coupled receptors [GPCRs] and receptor tyrosine kinases [RTKs]). The crosslinking of TSPANs creates a large secondary signaling network, which can effectively transduce extracellular stimuli inside to intracellular signaling pathways.