Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 also known as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VCAM1gene.[1] VCAM-1 functions as a cell adhesion molecule.
Upregulation of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells by cytokines occurs as a result of increased gene transcription (e.g., in response to Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1)) and through stabilization of Messenger RNA (mRNA) (e.g., Interleukin-4 (IL-4)). The promoter region of the VCAM-1 gene contains functional tandem NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) sites. The sustained expression of VCAM-1 lasts over 24 hours.
Primarily, the VCAM-1 protein is an endothelial ligand for VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen-4 or integrin α4β1) of the β1 subfamily of integrins. VCAM-1 expression has also been observed in other cell types (e.g., smooth muscle cells). It has also been shown to interact with EZR[3] and Moesin.[3]
Certain melanoma cells can use VCAM-1 to adhere to the endothelium,[5] and VCAM-1 may participate in monocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic sites. As a result, VCAM-1 is a potential drug target.
References
↑Cybulsky M, Fries JW, Williams AJ, Sultan P, Eddy RL, Byers MG, Shows TB, Gimbrone MA Jr, Collins T (1991). "The human VCAM1 gene is assigned to chromosome 1p31-p32". Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 58 (3–4): 1852. doi:10.1159/000133735.
↑ZX Yang; et al. (2013). "CD106 identifies a subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells with unique immunomodulatory properties". PLoS One. 8 (3): e59354.CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link)
↑Eibl RH, Benoit M (2004). "Molecular resolution of cell adhesion forces". IEE Proc Nanobiotechnol. 151 (3): 128–32. doi:10.1049/ip-nbt:20040707. PMID16475855.
Further reading
Yonekawa K, Harlan JM (2005). "Targeting leukocyte integrins in human diseases". J. Leukoc. Biol. 77 (2): 129–40. doi:10.1189/jlb.0804460. PMID15548573.