Ep-CAM is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed in the epithelium. It has a molecular mass of around 40 kDa. It functions to act as an epithelial-cell adhesion molecule. You can know more about EPCAM antibodies via https://www.bosterbio.com/anti-epcam-trade-antibody-pb10059-boster.html.
Ep-CAM is a homotypic calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule. Ep-CAM plays a role in Ca2+-dependent homotypic interactions.
The adhesions formed by Ep-CAM have negative effects on regulatory adhesions caused by cadherins of the classic variety and could exert a significant impact on the differentiation and the growth of the epithelial cell.
Ep-CAM's overexpression has been suggested to be linked to increased epithelial cell proliferation. Ep-CAM is a major component of human cancers and serves as an indicator of tumors that originate from the epithelial lineage.
Ep-CAM is present on the basolateral cells in the majority of simple epithelia as well as in many kinds of carcinoma. It is also believed that Ep-CAM distinguishes Adenocarcinomas from mesotheliomas of the pleural.
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM CD326) is a transmembrane glycoprotein of type I which functions as an epithelial-specific homophilic intercellular cell adhesion molecule.
Apart from cell adhesion EpCAM also plays a role in cell signaling, growth, migration, and differentiation. EpCAM is expressed in high amounts in all cancers, making it a prognostic and diagnostic marker for a range of cancers and is now a target for therapeutic treatment.