ALCAM: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:44, 15 December 2024

Article about the ALCAM protein

Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM), also known as CD166, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ALCAM gene. ALCAM is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and plays a crucial role in cell adhesion, which is essential for various physiological and pathological processes.

Structure[edit]

ALCAM is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein composed of five extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular region is responsible for mediating homophilic (ALCAM-ALCAM) and heterophilic (ALCAM-CD6) interactions, which are important for cell-cell adhesion.

Function[edit]

ALCAM is involved in a variety of cellular processes, including:

Cell adhesion: ALCAM mediates both homophilic and heterophilic cell-cell adhesion, which is crucial for tissue architecture and integrity.
Immune response: ALCAM is expressed on activated leukocytes and plays a role in the immune response by facilitating interactions between immune cells.
Neural development: ALCAM is expressed in the nervous system and is involved in axon guidance and neuronal migration.
Cancer progression: ALCAM expression is altered in various cancers, and it has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis.

Clinical Significance[edit]

ALCAM has been studied as a potential biomarker for several diseases, including cancer. Its expression levels can correlate with tumor aggressiveness and patient prognosis. In addition, ALCAM is being investigated as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Research[edit]

Research on ALCAM continues to explore its role in different physiological and pathological contexts. Studies are focusing on its molecular interactions, signaling pathways, and potential as a therapeutic target.

Also see[edit]

   This article is a protein-related stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<br>= ALCAM =
+{{Short description|Article about the ALCAM protein}}
+{{Infobox protein
+| name = Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule
+| image = <!-- Image of ALCAM protein structure -->
+| caption = Structure of ALCAM protein
+| symbol = ALCAM
+| HGNCid = 420
+| OMIM = 601667
+| EntrezGene = 214
+| RefSeq = NM_001627
+| UniProt = Q13740
+}}
-== Introduction ==
+'''Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule''' ('''ALCAM'''), also known as '''CD166''', is a protein that in humans is encoded by the '''ALCAM''' gene. ALCAM is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and plays a crucial role in cell adhesion, which is essential for various physiological and pathological processes.
-Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM), also known as CD166, is a cell adhesion molecule that plays a significant role in various physiological and pathological processes. It is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is involved in cell-cell interactions, particularly in the immune system and during embryonic development.
-== Structure ==
+==Structure==
-ALCAM is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein composed of five extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular region is responsible for mediating homophilic (ALCAM-ALCAM) and heterophilic interactions with other cell adhesion molecules, such as CD6.
+ALCAM is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein composed of five extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular region is responsible for mediating homophilic (ALCAM-ALCAM) and heterophilic (ALCAM-CD6) interactions, which are important for cell-cell adhesion.
-== Expression ==
+==Function==
-ALCAM is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, including the nervous system, immune cells, and epithelial tissues. Its expression is tightly regulated during development and in response to various physiological stimuli. In the immune system, ALCAM is expressed on activated leukocytes, dendritic cells, and endothelial cells, where it facilitates leukocyte trafficking and immune responses.
+ALCAM is involved in a variety of cellular processes, including:
-== Function ==
+* '''[[Cell adhesion]]''': ALCAM mediates both homophilic and heterophilic cell-cell adhesion, which is crucial for tissue architecture and integrity.
-ALCAM plays a crucial role in:
+* '''[[Immune response]]''': ALCAM is expressed on activated leukocytes and plays a role in the immune response by facilitating interactions between immune cells.
+* '''[[Neural development]]''': ALCAM is expressed in the nervous system and is involved in axon guidance and neuronal migration.
+* '''[[Cancer progression]]''': ALCAM expression is altered in various cancers, and it has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis.
-* '''Cell Adhesion''': ALCAM mediates cell-cell adhesion through homophilic interactions, which are important for maintaining tissue architecture and integrity.
+==Clinical Significance==
-* '''Immune Response''': It is involved in the interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting cells, influencing T cell activation and migration.
+ALCAM has been studied as a potential biomarker for several diseases, including cancer. Its expression levels can correlate with tumor aggressiveness and patient prognosis. In addition, ALCAM is being investigated as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
-* '''Neural Development''': ALCAM is critical in neural crest cell migration and axon guidance during embryonic development.
-* '''Cancer Progression''': Aberrant expression of ALCAM has been associated with tumor progression and metastasis in various cancers, including melanoma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
-== Clinical Significance ==
+==Research==
-ALCAM has been studied as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Its expression levels correlate with tumor aggressiveness and patient outcomes in several cancer types. Additionally, ALCAM is being explored as a therapeutic target, with strategies aimed at modulating its function to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.
+Research on ALCAM continues to explore its role in different physiological and pathological contexts. Studies are focusing on its molecular interactions, signaling pathways, and potential as a therapeutic target.
-== Research and Therapeutic Implications ==
+==Also see==
-Ongoing research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ALCAM-mediated cell adhesion and signaling. Therapeutic approaches targeting ALCAM include the development of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules that can disrupt its interactions, thereby inhibiting cancer cell dissemination.
+* [[Cell adhesion molecule]]
+* [[Immunoglobulin superfamily]]
+* [[CD6]]
+* [[Cancer biomarker]]
-== Conclusion ==
+{{Protein-stub}}
-ALCAM is a multifunctional cell adhesion molecule with significant roles in normal physiology and disease. Its involvement in immune responses, neural development, and cancer progression makes it a critical target for research and therapeutic intervention. Understanding the complex biology of ALCAM will provide insights into its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in various diseases.
-== References ==
+[[Category:Cell adhesion molecules]]
-* Swart, G. W. (2002). Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (CD166/ALCAM): Developmental and mechanistic aspects of cell clustering and cell migration. European Journal of Cell Biology, 81(6), 313-321.
+[[Category:Immunoglobulin superfamily]]
-* Ofori-Acquah, S. F., & King, J. A. (2008). Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule: A new paradox in cancer. Translational Research, 151(3), 122-128.
+[[Category:Human proteins]]
-* van Kempen, L. C., Nelissen, J. M., Degen, W. G., Torensma, R., Weidle, U. H., Bloemers, H. P., & Swart, G. W. (2001). Molecular basis for the homophilic activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM)-ALCAM interaction. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276(28), 25783-25790.
+[[Category:Biomarkers]]