CD56 Antigen
Cancer Terms ->
Retired Concepts ->
Retired Concept 2003 -> CD56 Antigen
CD56 Antigen Definition
Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule is a membrane-bound glycoprotein member of the Ig superfamily that binds to a variety of other cell adhesion proteins involved in diverse contact-mediated interactions. NCAM appears on early embryonic cells and is important in the formation of cell collectives at sites of morphogenesis. Later it is found on differentiated neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and myotubes and mediates neuronal adhesion, guidance, and differentiation. NCAM plays a role in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion through homophilic and heterophilic binding. The invertebrate cell adhesion molecules fasciclin II (grasshoppers and Drosophila) and apCAM (Aplysia) are related to NCAM and can mediate homophilic cell aggregation. Four main isoforms exist, including CD56, but many variants result from alternative splicing and post-translational modifications. (from OMIM 116930 and NCI)
CD56 Antigen Synonyms
CD56 Antigen, CD56, NCAM, NKH-1, Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule
Terms in CD56 Antigen category
Copyright © Cancer Terms 2014 All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Low Carb Foods
No reproduction or republication permitted.