Glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GLYCAM1)

Glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GLYCAM1) is a mucin-like proteoglycan ligand predominantly expressed on high endothelial venules in lymphoid tissues, where it presents O-linked carbohydrates that serve as ligands for L-selectin on leukocytes, facilitating the exit of naïve lymphocytes from the bloodstream into lymphoid organs. GLYCAM1 is also known to be hormonally regulated and expressed in mammary epithelial cells during lactation, where it is found in milk in a carbohydrate-modified form that does not bind L-selectin, suggesting tissue- and context-dependent biological roles. Functionally, GLYCAM1 mediates lymphocyte homing and trafficking and plays a regulatory role in monocyte entry into tissues such as the optic nerve head. It belongs to the class of mucin-like cell adhesion molecules but lacks a transmembrane region and appears as a soluble protein or, in some tissues, a milk mucin complex component. There are no drugs or therapeutic interventions known to target GLYCAM1 directly, and it is not currently employed as a clinical biomarker or druggable target.

Other names

Putative glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1GLYCAM1GlyCAM-1Sgp50Sele ligand