Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EPCAM) Human Recombinant Protein

This gene encodes a carcinoma-associated antigen and is a member of a family that includes at least two type I membrane proteins. This antigen is expressed on most normal epithelial cells and gastrointestinal carcinomas and functions as a homotypic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule. The antigen is being used as a target for immunotherapy treatment of human carcinomas. Mutations in this gene result in congenital tufting enteropathy. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2008]

EPCAM: a single-pass type I membrane protein of the EPCAM family. May act as a physical homophilic interaction molecule between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) at the mucosal epithelium for providing immunological barrier as a first line of defense against mucosal infection. Expressed in almost all epithelial cell membranes but not on mesodermal or neural cell membranes. Found on the surface of adenocarcinomas including pancreatic carcinoma. May be a marker of cancer stem cells.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 2p21

Cellular Component: tight junction; cell surface; basolateral plasma membrane; apical plasma membrane; plasma membrane; integral to membrane; lateral plasma membrane

Molecular Function: protein binding; protein complex binding

Biological Process: ureteric bud development; positive regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; stem cell differentiation

Disease: Diarrhea 5, With Tufting Enteropathy, Congenital; Colorectal Cancer, Hereditary Nonpolyposis, Type 8