EPCAM Antibody
Description
Product Specs
PAT36F10AT.
Product Science Overview
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM), also known as CD326, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion within epithelial tissues. It is involved in various cellular processes, including signaling, migration, proliferation, and differentiation . EpCAM has gained significant attention due to its role in cancer biology, where it is often overexpressed in epithelial-derived tumors and serves as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis .
EpCAM was first identified in the late 1970s as a tumor-associated antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 17-1A after immunization of mice with human colorectal cancer cells . It belongs to the GA733 protein family and is characterized by its homophilic binding properties, which facilitate Ca²⁺-independent cell-cell adhesion . The molecule consists of an extracellular domain (EpEX), a single transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain (EpICD) .
EpCAM is involved in a variety of cellular functions beyond cell adhesion. It participates in signal transduction, acting as a ligand for receptors and as a transcriptional cofactor . The extracellular domain (EpEX) and intracellular domain (EpICD) can be cleaved and released from the membrane, further influencing cellular signaling pathways . EpCAM’s role in cancer progression is complex and context-dependent, involving interactions with signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β/SMAD, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR .
EpCAM’s overexpression in various carcinomas makes it a valuable target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. It is used as a diagnostic marker for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) . Additionally, EpCAM-targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies and immunotherapies, are being developed to treat epithelial-derived tumors .
Mouse anti-human EpCAM antibodies are monoclonal antibodies generated by immunizing mice with human EpCAM. These antibodies are widely used in research and clinical settings to study EpCAM expression, function, and its role in cancer. They are also employed in diagnostic assays to detect EpCAM-positive cells in patient samples .
