ALCAM/CD166: A pleiotropic mediator of cell adhesion, stemness and cancer progression
- Ferragut, Fatima Eneida del Valle
- Vachetta, Vanina Sol
- Troncoso, María Fernanda
- Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián
- Elola, Maria Teresa
DOIAbstract
Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM/CD166) is a glycoprotein involved in homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion. ALCAM can be proteolytically cleaved at the cell surface by metalloproteases, which generate shedding of its ectodomain. In various tumors, ALCAM is overexpressed and serves as a valuable prognostic marker of disease progression. Moreover, CD166 has been identified as a putative cancer stem cell marker in particular cancers. Herein, we summarize biochemical aspects of ALCAM, including structure, proteolytic shedding, alternative splicing, and specific ligands, and integrate this information with biological functions of this glycoprotein including cell adhesion, migration and invasion. In addition, we discuss differ...
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