Hepatic and glial cell adhesion molecule (HEPACAM)

Hepatic and glial cell adhesion molecule (HEPACAM), also known as GlialCAM, is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. It is a transmembrane protein found in liver and glial cells, where it functions in cell adhesion, motility, and cell-matrix interactions[1][2][4][6]. In the brain, HEPACAM is essential for the correct localization and stability of junctional proteins such as MLC1 and connexin 43, with crucial roles in maintaining cellular junctions[3]. Mutations in HEPACAM result in the neurodegenerative disorder megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, types 2A and 2B[1][4]. In cancer, HEPACAM frequently acts as a tumor suppressor, and its loss is associated with increased cellular proliferation in multiple solid tumors[3][4]. No current therapeutics specifically target HEPACAM, but its deletion or downregulation is being explored as a diagnostic marker for certain cancers[3].

Other names

GlialCAMProtein hepaCAMGLIALCAMHepatocyte cell adhesion moleculeGlial cell adhesion moleculePutative cancer susceptibility gene HEPN1 proteinMLC2AMLC2BFLJ25530HEPN1