The Lutheran (Lu) blood group and basal cell adhesion molecule (BCAM) antigens are both carried by 2 glycoprotein isoforms of the immunoglobulin superfamily representing receptors for the laminin alpha(5) chain. It is a transmembrane receptor with five immunoglobulin-like domains in its extracellular region, and is therefore classified as a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene family. In addition to red blood cells, Lu/BCAM proteins are expressed in endothelial cells of vascular capillaries and in epithelial cells of several tissues. BCAM/LU has a wide tissue distribution with a predominant expression in the basal layer of the epithelium and the endothelium of blood vessel walls. As designated as CD239 recently, BCAM and LU share a significant sequence similarity with the CD146 (MUC18) and CD166, and themselves are adhesion molecules that bind laminin with high affinity. Laminins are found in all basement membranes and are involved in cell differentiation, adhesion, migration, and proliferation. BCAM is upregulated following malignant transformation of some cell types in vivo and in vitro, thus being a candidate molecule involved in tumor progression. In addition, BCAM interacts with integrin in sickle red cells, and thus may potentially play a role in vaso-occlusive episodes.
Oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein, also known as OMG and OMGP, is a cell membrane protein which contains eightLRR (leucine-rich) repeats. OMG / OMGP is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein expressed by neurons and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). OMG / OMGP is a cell adhesion molecule contributing to the interactive process required for myelination in the central nervous system. OMG / OMGP play roles in both the developing and adult central nervous system. OMG / OMGP participats in growth cone collapse and inhibition of neurite outgrowth through its interaction with NgR, the receptor for Nogo. This function requires its leucine-rich repeat domain, a highly conserved region in OMgp during mammal evolution. OMG / OMGP leucine-rich repeat domain is also implicated in the inhibition of cell proliferation. OMG / OMGP may also be involved in the formation and maintenance of myelin sheaths. Cell proliferation, neuronal sprouting and myelination are crucial processes involved in brain development and regeneration after injury.
Osteoprotegerin or TNFRSF11B is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. This protein is an osteoblast-secreted decoy receptor that functions as a negative regulator of bone resorption. This protein specifically binds to its ligand, osteoprotegerin ligand, both of which are key extracellular regulators of osteoclast development. Studies of the mouse counterpart also suggest that this protein and its ligand play a role in lymph-node organogenesis and vascular calcification. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been reported, but their full length nature has not been determined. Osteoprotegerin/TNFRSF11B acts as decoy receptor for RANKL and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. This protein may inhibit the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local RANKL/OPG ratio. Osteoprotegerin/TNFRSF11B also play a role in preventing arterial calcification, act as decoy receptor for TRAIL and protect against apoptosis. TRAIL binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.
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