CD146 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.
基因名
MCAM
蛋白名
Cell surface glycoprotein MUC18
亚细胞定位
Membrane; Single-pass type I membrane protein.
组织特异性
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.
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.