MCAM — Melanoma cell adhesion molecule
MCAM belongs to a gene co-expression module in 5 of 28 SCUBA cell types. Each module groups genes that rise and fall together in that cell type; the genes it shares a module with are its closest co-expression partners there.
MCAM's module in each cell type
| Cell type | Module | Shares the module with | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endothelial | Inflammatory EC Activation Inflammation | FJX1, FNDC3B, GPR4, HK1, ITGA5, MAP1S, MSN, P2RY6 +3 more | View in SCUBA |
| Fibroblasts | Smooth Muscle Identity Cytoskeletal | ACTG2, ALDH1B1, C3orf70, CNN1, FBXL22, HSD17B6, JPH2, KCNH2 +12 more | View in SCUBA |
| Mucosal-associated invariant T cell | MAIT Cell Identity T cell maturation | AFF3, DDX3Y, DKK3, DSE, EPAS1, FKBP5, FYN, GLIPR1 +16 more | |
| Pericytes | Pericyte Vascular Tone Developmental | ADAP2, CHCHD10, CSPG4, FOXS1, LINGO1, MFGE8, PGF, PTGIR +3 more | View in SCUBA |
| Smooth muscle cells | Mural/Pericyte Identity Development | C1QTNF1, EBF1, FRMD4A, FRY, ITGA7, LGALSL, LGI4, MEF2C +6 more | View in SCUBA |
About the gene
| Synonyms | CD146, HEMCAM, MelCAM, METCAM, MUC18 |
|---|---|
| Chromosome | 11: 119308529-119321521 |
| Predicted location | Membrane |
| Essential gene | No |
| Protein class | CD markers, Plasma proteins, Predicted membrane proteins |
| Biological process | Cell adhesion |
Function
Plays a role in cell adhesion, and in cohesion of the endothelial monolayer at intercellular junctions in vascular tissue. Its expression may allow melanoma cells to interact with cellular elements of the vascular system, thereby enhancing hematogeneous tumor spread. Could be an adhesion molecule active in neural crest cells during embryonic development. Acts as a surface receptor that triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of FYN and PTK2/FAK1, and a transient increase in the intracellular calcium concentration
Human Protein Atlas · Open Targets · UniProt
Gene annotation from the Human Protein Atlas and UniProt; see sources & licences.