CD326 (EpCAM) Monoclonal Antibody (1B7), eBioscience™, Invitrogen™

Description

EpCAM (Epithelial cell adhesion molecule, CD326, KSA, TROP1) is a 40 kD cell-surface adhesion molecule participating in homophilic, calcium-independent cell-cell interactions. EpCAM is a type-I transmembrane protein, and is expressed primarily on the basolateral surface of most epithelia. Although normal epithelia express low levels of EpCAM, increased expression has been correlated with increased proliferation and progression to a mesenchymal phenotype. EpCAM has also been used as a diagnostic marker on circulating metastatic carcinoma cells, while cancer cells of non-epithelial origin do not express EpCAM.

Ep-CAM (epithelial adhesion molecule, epithelial specific antigen, ESA) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in the epithelium with a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa, which functions as an epithelial cell adhesion molecule. Ep-CAM functions as a homotypic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule, and has a direct impact on cell cycle, proliferation and metabolism of epithelial cells and fibroblasts due to its ability to rapidly induce the proto-oncogene c-myc and the cell cycle regulating genes cyclin A and E. Ep-CAM mediates Ca2+-independent homotypic interactions. Formation of Ep-CAM-mediated adhesions have a negative regulatory effect on adhesions mediated by classic cadherins, which may have strong effects on the differentiation and growth of epithelial cells. Ep-CAM overexpression was suggested to be associated with enhanced epithelial proliferation. Ep-CAM is highly expressed in human carcinomas, and is a marker for tumors of epithelial lineage. Ep-CAM is expressed on baso-lateral cell surface in most simple epithelia and many carcinoma types. Also, Ep-CAM reportedly distinguishes adenocarcinomas from pleural mesotheliomas.