Anti-MUC18 / CD146 / MCAM (Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule)(Clone: MCAM/1101)

The human Mel-CAM gene maps to chromosome 11q23 and encodes a trans-membrane glycoprotein, also designated MCAM, MUC 18 or CD146, that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and functions as a Ca2+-independent cell adhesion molecule. Mel-CAM expression is restricted to advanced primary and metastatic melanomas and to cell lines of the neuroectodermal lineage, but not normal melanocytes. Mel-CAM is found on 80% of advanced primary human melanomas and correlates well with development of metastatic disease. Protein 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 surface receptor that triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of FYN and PTK2/FAK1, and a transient increase in the intracellular calcium concentration. [The UniProt Consortium]