Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
08:15

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

A short isoform of carcinoembryonic-antigen-related rat liver cell-cell adhesion molecule (C-CAM/gp110) mediates

L Lucka1, I Cichocka, K Bäumler

  • 1Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.

European Journal of Biochemistry
|December 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

A newly identified cell-cell adhesion molecule isoform, C-CAM2a, stimulates intercellular adhesion in cells. This short isoform, unlike another short variant, actively promotes cell-cell binding, offering new insights into adhesion molecule function.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Rat liver cell-cell adhesion molecule (C-CAM) is an immunoglobulin (Ig)-superfamily glycoprotein related to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) proteins.
  • C-CAM isoforms vary in their intracellular tail length, influencing their function in cell adhesion.
  • Previous research identified C-CAM1 (long tail) as adhesive and C-CAM2 (short tail) as non-adhesive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize a novel short C-CAM isoform, C-CAM2a, derived from alternative splicing of the C-CAM1 gene.
  • To investigate the functional role of C-CAM2a in intercellular adhesion.
  • To determine if C-CAM2a can mediate homophilic and calcium-independent cell adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning and stable expression of C-CAM2a cDNA in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.
  • Analysis of intercellular adhesion in CHO cells expressing C-CAM2a.
  • Comparison of adhesion properties between C-CAM2a and other C-CAM isoforms.

Main Results:

  • The existence of C-CAM2a, an alternatively spliced product of the C-CAM1 gene, was confirmed.
  • Stable expression of C-CAM2a in CHO cells resulted in a specific increase in intercellular adhesion.
  • C-CAM2a demonstrated the ability to induce homophilic and Ca2+-independent cell adhesion, contrasting with the non-adhesive C-CAM2 isoform.

Conclusions:

  • C-CAM2a is a functional short isoform of C-CAM capable of mediating intercellular adhesion.
  • Alternative splicing of the C-CAM1 gene generates isoforms with distinct adhesive properties.
  • C-CAM2a represents a novel adhesion molecule that functions independently of calcium ions.

More Related Videos

Structure-function Studies in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using Recombinase-mediated Cassette Exchange15:13

Structure-function Studies in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using Recombinase-mediated Cassette Exchange

Published on: April 27, 2017

The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analysis and Imaging12:15

The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analysis and Imaging

Published on: October 3, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Structure of Cadherins01:25

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins”   is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...
Catenins01:23

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...