The carcinoembryonic antigen IgV-like N domain plays a critical role in the implantation of metastatic tumor cells.

ABSTRACT: The human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a cell adhesion molecule involved in both homotypic and heterotypic interactions. The aberrant overexpression of CEA on adenocarcinoma cells correlates with their increased metastatic potential. Yet, the mechanism(s) by which its adhesive properties can lead to the implantation of circulating tumor cells and expansion of metastatic foci remains to be established. In this study, we demonstrate that the IgV-like N terminal domain of CEA directly participates in the implantation of cancer cells through its homotypic and heterotypic binding properties. Specifically, we determined that the recombinant N terminal domain of CEA directly binds to fibronectin (Fn) with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range (K(D) 16 ± 3 nM) and interacts with itse

SUBMITTER: Abdul-Wahid A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5528543 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature