Nectin cell adhesion molecule 1 (NECTIN1)

Nectin cell adhesion molecule 1 (NECTIN1) is a calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is primarily involved in the formation and maintenance of adherens junctions and neuronal synapses through homophilic and heterophilic interactions with other nectins and nectin-like molecules (UniProt Q15223). Nectin-1 is most notably recognized as the primary entry receptor for alphaherpesviruses, such as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2), by binding to the viral envelope glycoprotein D (PubMed: 21325282). In the context of oncology, Nectin-1 is a critical target for oncolytic viral therapies, such as Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), which exploit the receptor to selectively infect and lyse tumor cells (PubMed: 33801304). Furthermore, Nectin-1 expression levels serve as a significant biomarker for predicting patient response to these oncolytic treatments in cancers like melanoma and thyroid cancer (PubMed: 17327381). Mutations in the NECTIN1 gene are also linked to developmental disorders, including cleft lip and palate-ectodermal dysplasia syndrome (CLPED1) (UniProt Q15223).

Other names

CD111PVRL1HVECPRR1HIWCLB2SK-12Herpesvirus entry mediator CHerpesvirus Ig-like receptorPoliovirus receptor-related protein 1

Acts as a primary entry receptor for alphaherpesviruses by binding to viral glycoprotein D; mediates calcium-independent cell-cell adhesion through homophilic and heterophilic trans-interactions.