EpCAM (CD326) Antibodies

Target Information

Ep-CAM (epithelial adhesion molecule, epithelial specific antigen, ESA) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in the epithelium with a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa, which functions as an epithelial cell adhesion molecule. Ep-CAM functions as a homotypic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule, and has a direct impact on cell cycle, proliferation and metabolism of epithelial cells and fibroblasts due to its ability to rapidly induce the proto-oncogene c-myc and the cell cycle regulating genes cyclin A and E. Ep-CAM mediates Ca2+-independent homotypic interactions. Formation of Ep-CAM-mediated adhesions have a negative regulatory effect on adhesions mediated by classic cadherins, which may have strong effects on the differentiation and growth of epithelial cells. Ep-CAM overexpression was suggested to be associated with enhanced epithelial proliferation. Ep-CAM is highly expressed in human carcinomas, and is a marker for tumors of epithelial lineage. Ep-CAM is expressed on baso-lateral cell surface in most simple epithelia and many carcinoma types. Also, Ep-CAM reportedly distinguishes adenocarcinomas from pleural mesotheliomas.

Synonyms

adenocarcinoma-associated antigen; CD326; cell surface glycoprotein Trop-1; DIAR5; EGP; EGP-2; EGP314; EGP40; EPCAM; Ep-CAM; EpCAM1; epithelial cell adhesion molecule; Epithelial cell surface antigen; Epithelial glycoprotein; Epithelial glycoprotein 314; ESA; GA733-2; gp40; hEGP314; HNPCC8; human epithelial glycoprotein-2; KS 1/4 antigen; KS1/4; KSA; Ly74; lymphocyte antigen 74; M1S2; M4S1; major gastrointestinal tumor-associated protein GA733-2; mEGP314; membrane component, chromosome 4, surface marker (35kD glycoprotein); MIC18; MK-1; panepithelial glycoprotein 314; protein 289A; Protein D5.7A; Tacsd1; Tacstd1; TROP1; Trop-1 protein; Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 1