Aljaž Gaber (Author), Brigita Lenarčič (Author), Miha Pavšič (Author)

Abstract

EpCAM, a carcinoma cell-surface marker protein and a therapeutic target, has been primarily addressed as a cell adhesion molecule. With regard to recent discoveries of its role in signaling with implications in cell proliferation and differentiation, and findings contradicting a direct role in mediating adhesion contacts, we provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the available structural data on EpCAM and interpret it in the light of recent reports on its function. First, we describe the structure of extracellular part of EpCAM, both as a subunit and part of a cis-dimer which, according to several experimental observations, represents a biologically relevant oligomeric state. Next, we provide a thorough evaluation of reports on EpCAM as a homophilic cell adhesion molecule with a structure-based explanation why direct EpCAM participation in cell–cell contacts is highly unlikely. Finally, we review the signaling aspect of EpCAM with focus on accessibility of signaling-associated cleavage sites.

Keywords

EpCAM;transmembranski proteini;struktura;dimer;adhezija;regulirana znotrajmembranska proteoliza;signaliziranje;bolezni;transmembrane protein;structure;adhesion;regulated intramembrane proteolysis;signaling;disease;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
Organization: UL FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
UDC: 577.112
COBISS: 17857539 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2073-4409
Views: 199
Downloads: 55
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: EpCAM;transmembranski proteini;struktura;dimer;adhezija;regulirana znotrajmembranska proteoliza;signaliziranje;bolezni;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-18
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ9
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ6
Chronology: Jun. 2020
DOI: 10.3390/cells9061361
ID: 14067391