Review: Lutheran/B-CAM: a laminin receptor on red blood cells and in various tissues.

Abstract

The Lutheran blood group glycoprotein (Lu), also known as basal cell adhesion molecule (B-CAM), is a transmembrane receptor with five immunoglobulin-like domains in its extracellular region; it is therefore classified as a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene family. Lu/B-CAM is observed not only on red blood cells, but also on a subset of muscle and epithelial cells in various tissues. Recently, several groups have reported that Lu/B-CAM is a novel receptor for laminin a5. The laminin a5 chain is a component of the laminin-511 (alpha 5 beta 1 gamma 1), -521 (alpha 5 beta 2 gamma 1), and -523 (alpha 5 beta 2 gamma 3) heterotrimers and is expressed throughout the mammalian body. We also have shown that Lu/B-CAM is co-localized with laminin alpha 5 in various tissues. Although the biological role of Lu/B-CAM remains unclear, the specific binding of Lu/B-CAM to laminin alpha 5 suggests that it plays an important role in developmental and physiological processes. It also is necessary to investigate further the interaction between Lu/B-CAM and laminin a5 in pathological processes, including sickle cell disease and cancer.

• Authors: Yamato Kikkawa, Jeffrey H Miner
• Journal: Connective tissue research (Connect Tissue Res) Vol. 46 Issue 4-5 Pg. 193-9 ( 2005) ISSN: 0300-8207 [Print] England
• PMID: 16546822 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• BCAM protein, human
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Laminin
• Lutheran Blood-Group System
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Receptors, Laminin
• laminin alpha5

Topics

• Anemia, Sickle Cell (genetics)
• Animals
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (genetics, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Cell Membrane (metabolism)
• Epithelial Cells (metabolism)
• Erythrocytes (chemistry, metabolism)
• Humans
• Laminin (metabolism)
• Lutheran Blood-Group System
• Muscle Cells (metabolism)
• Neoplasm Proteins (genetics, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Protein Binding (physiology)
• Protein Structure, Tertiary (physiology)
• Receptors, Laminin (metabolism)