EpCAM: another surface-to-nucleus missile.
The epithelial-specific cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) modulates cell adhesion and proliferation. Its overexpression correlates with tumor cell proliferation, and EpCAM is a therapeutic target. In the February issue of Nature Cell Biology, Maetzel et al. demonstrate that proliferative responses to EpCAM require regulated intramembrane proteolysis and a nucleocytoplasmic intracellular domain fragment.
Carpenter
Graham
G
Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-0146, USA. graham.carpenter@vanderbilt.edu
Red Brewer
Monica
M
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule