ALCAM

Domain

The CD6 binding site is located in the N-terminal Ig-like domain.

Function

Cell adhesion molecule that mediates both heterotypic cell-cell contacts via its interaction with CD6, as well as homotypic cell-cell contacts (PubMed:7760007, PubMed:15496415, PubMed:15048703, PubMed:16352806, PubMed:23169771, PubMed:24945728). Promotes T-cell activation and proliferation via its interactions with CD6 (PubMed:15048703, PubMed:16352806, PubMed:24945728). Contributes to the formation and maturation of the immunological synapse via its interactions with CD6 (PubMed:15294938, PubMed:16352806). Mediates homotypic interactions with cells that express ALCAM (PubMed:15496415, PubMed:16352806). Required for normal hematopoietic stem cell engraftment in the bone marrow (PubMed:24740813). Mediates attachment of dendritic cells onto endothelial cells via homotypic interaction (PubMed:23169771). Inhibits endothelial cell migration and promotes endothelial tube formation via homotypic interactions (PubMed:15496415, PubMed:23169771). Required for normal organization of the lymph vessel network. Required for normal hematopoietic stem cell engraftment in the bone marrow. Plays a role in hematopoiesis; required for normal numbers of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow. Promotes in vitro osteoblast proliferation and differentiation (By similarity). Promotes neurite extension, axon growth and axon guidance; axons grow preferentially on surfaces that contain ALCAM. Mediates outgrowth and pathfinding for retinal ganglion cell axons (By similarity).

Isoform 3

Inhibits activities of membrane-bound isoforms by competing for the same interaction partners. Inhibits cell attachment via homotypic interactions. Promotes endothelial cell migration. Inhibits endothelial cell tube formation.

Post-translational modifications

Glycosylated.

Tissue specificity

Detected on hematopoietic stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood (PubMed:24740813). Detected on lymph vessel endothelial cells, skin and tonsil (PubMed:23169771). Detected on peripheral blood monocytes (PubMed:15048703). Detected on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (at protein level) (PubMed:16352806). Detected at low levels in spleen, placenta, liver (PubMed:9502422). Expressed by activated T-cells, B-cells, monocytes and thymic epithelial cells (PubMed:7760007). Isoform 1 and isoform 3 are detected in vein and artery endothelial cells, astrocytes, keratinocytes and artery smooth muscle cells (PubMed:15496415). Expressed by neurons in the brain. Restricted expression in tumor cell lines. Detected in highly metastasizing melanoma cell lines (PubMed:9502422).

Cellular localization

• Cell membrane
• Single-pass type I membrane protein
• Cell projection
• Axon
• Cell projection
• Dendrite
• Detected at the immunological synapse, i.e, at the contact zone between antigen-presenting dendritic cells and T-cells (PubMed:15294938, PubMed:16352806). Colocalizes with CD6 and the TCR/CD3 complex at the immunological synapse (PubMed:15294938).
• Isoform 3
• Secreted

Alternative names

• CD166 antigen
• Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule
• ALCAM
• MEMD

Database links

• entrezGene:214
• omim:601662
• swissprot:Q13740

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Oncology

Molecular weight

65102Da