Mouse Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule (MCAM) ELISA Kit-Sandwich

Cell surface glycoprotein MUC18, also known as Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule (MCAM), is involved in cell adhesion, contributing to the cohesion of the endothelial monolayer at intercellular junctions within vascular tissue. Its expression may facilitate melanoma cells' interactions with the vascular system's cellular components, thereby promoting hematogenous tumor spread. MCAM may function as an adhesion molecule in neural crest cells during embryonic development. It serves as a surface receptor that triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of FYN and PTK2/FAK1, along with a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. In mice, the functions of MCAM include roles in nervous system development, tumor metastasis and growth, immune cell activation and migration, and angiogenesis. In a mouse melanoma model, overexpression of MCAM led to a higher experimental metastasis rate and the formation of early metastatic foci, while knocking out MCAM significantly reduced metastasis occurrences.