Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 21 (CEACAM21)

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 21 (CEACAM21) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily, specifically in the CEACAM subfamily, with a major role in cell adhesion, immune response regulation, and signal transduction[1][2][4]. The gene coding for CEACAM21 is located on human chromosome 19 and encodes a 258 amino acid protein with a 206 amino acid extracellular domain that includes one IgV-like and one IgC2-like domain, a 21 amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 32 amino acid cytoplasmic domain[1]. CEACAM21 is a primate-specific molecule without known orthologs in lower species and is expressed in various tissues[1]. Its specific biological functions remain partially characterized, but emerging evidence implicates it in modulating neurobiological and oncogenic pathways, being associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia, aggressive prostate cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among others[2]. The CEACAM family, including CEACAM21, participates in regulating tissue architecture, cellular recognition, and immune system signaling, with some members serving as receptors for galectin-3 on neutrophils, which is relevant to inflammation[1][2]. There are currently no approved drugs that specifically target CEACAM21, and it is not considered a validated therapeutic target at this time, though it is under investigation as a biomarker and for potential functional significance in disease[2][4].

Other names

CEA cell adhesion molecule 21Cell adhesion molecule CEACAM21UNQ3098/PRO10075R29124_1FLJ13540Carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 21CEACAM3