Anti-EpCAM (Clone: VU-1D9)

EpCAM (epithelial specific antigen) is an ~40 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein involved in a number of cellular processes including adhesion, proliferation, maintenance of stemness, migration and invasion. EpCAM is expressed on most, but not all, normal epithelia and their corresponding malignancies. Although the role of EpCAM expression in tumorigenesis remains to be fully elucidated, EpCAM may downregulate immunity and help tumors actively escape from immune surveillance. Protein function: May act as a physical homophilic interaction molecule between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) at the mucosal epithelium for providing immunological barrier as a first line of defense against mucosal infection. Plays a role in embryonic stem cells proliferation and differentiation. Up-regulates the expression of FABP5, MYC and cyclins A and E. [The UniProt Consortium]