5'-nucleotidase, also known as NT5E, NTE, and CD73, is a cell membrane protein which belongs to the 5'-nucleotidase family. CD73 is a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored purine salvage enzyme expressed on the surface of human T and B lymphocytes. CD73 catalyzes the conversion of purine and pyrimidine ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates to the corresponding nucleosides. CD73 serves as a costimulatory molecule in activating T cells. CD73 generated adenosine functions in cell signalling in many physiologic systems, including intestinal epithelium, ischemic myocardium, and cholinergic synapses. CD73 might mediate lymphocyte-stromal cell interactions or condition the local microenvironment to facilitate lymphocyte development and/or function. In CD73-depleted cells, surface levels of the leukocyte adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin increase. CD73 produces extracellular adenosine, which then acts on G protein-coupled purigenic receptors to induce cellular responses. CD73 has also been reported to regulate expression of pro-inflammatory molecules in mouse endothelium.