MCAM (MUC18 antigen, CD146), a member of the immuoglobulin superfamily, is an intrinsic membrane glycoprotein of 110-120 kDa found on the surface of endothelial cells, bone marrow fibroblasts and various melanomas. MCAM (Melanoma adhesion molecule) has been used as a marker of tumor progression in human melanoma because expression in those tumors correlates strongly with poor prognosis and the development of metastic disease. In addition, a number of human T, B and myeloid leukemic cell lines seem to express MCAM. The close structural relationship with N-CAM and related molecules suggests that MCAM may be also a developmentally regulated cell adhesion.
Function:
Plays a role in cell adhesion, and in cohesion of the endothelial monolayer at intercellular junctions in vascular tissue. Its expression may allow melanoma cells to interact with cellular elements of the vascular system, thereby enhancing hematogeneous tumor spread. Could be an adhesion molecule active in neural crest cells during embryonic development. Acts as surface receptor that triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of FYN and PTK2/FAK1, and a transient increase in the intracellular calcium concentration.
Subcellular Location:
Membrane; Single-pass type I membrane protein.
Tissue Specificity:
Detected in endothelial cells in vascular tissue throughout the body. May appear at the surface of neural crest cells during their embryonic migration. Appears to be limited to vascular smooth muscle in normal adult tissues. Associated with tumor progression and the development of metastasis in human malignant melanoma. Expressed most strongly on metastatic lesions and advanced primary tumors and is only rarely detected in benign melanocytic nevi and thin primary melanomas with a low probability of metastasis.
Similarity:
Contains 3 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domains.
Contains 2 Ig-like SLVtype (immunoglobulin-like) domains.
SWISS:
P43121
Gene ID:
4162
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 4162 Human
Entrez Gene: 16804 Mouse
Entrez Gene: 78967 Rat
Omim: 155735 Human
SwissProt: P43121 Human
SwissProt: Q8R2Y2 Mouse
SwissProt: Q9EPF2 Rat
Unigene: 599039 Human
Unigene: 275003 Mouse
Unigene: 2694 Rat
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