Functions of EpCAM in physiological processes and diseases (Review)

EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, which was originally identified as a tumor-associated antigen due to its high expression level in rapidly growing epithelial tumors. Germ line mutations of the human EpCAM gene have been indicated as the cause of conge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular medicine Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 1771 - 1785
Main Authors: Huang, Li, Yang, Yanhong, Yang, Fei, Liu, Shaomin, Zhu, Ziqin, Lei, Zili, Guo, Jiao
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Greece D.A. Spandidos 01.10.2018
Spandidos Publications
Spandidos Publications UK Ltd
Subjects:
Animals
cancer
Cell adhesion & migration
Cell Adhesion - genetics
Cell adhesion molecules
Cell Movement
Cell Proliferation
cell-cell junctions
congenital tufting enteropathy
Disease susceptibility
epithelial cell adhesion molecule
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule - genetics
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule - metabolism
Gene expression
Genetic aspects
Health aspects
Humans
Medical research
Mutation
Neoplasm Proteins - genetics
Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial - genetics
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial - metabolism
Rodents
Signal Transduction
Small intestine
stem cell
Zebrafish
ISSN:1107-3756, 1791-244X, 1791-244X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, which was originally identified as a tumor-associated antigen due to its high expression level in rapidly growing epithelial tumors. Germ line mutations of the human EpCAM gene have been indicated as the cause of congenital tufting enteropathy. Previous studies based on cell models have revealed that EpCAM contributes to various biological processes including cell adhesion, signaling, migration and proliferation. Due to the previous lack of genetic animal models, the in vivo functions of EpCAM remain largely unknown. However, EpCAM genetic animal models have recently been generated, and are useful for understanding the functions of EpCAM. The authors here briefly review the functions and mechanisms of EpCAM in physiological processes and different diseases.
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Contributed equally
ISSN:1107-3756
1791-244X
1791-244X
DOI:10.3892/ijmm.2018.3764