CEACAM21 features a 258-amino acid polypeptide with distinct domains:
Recombinant forms (e.g., residues 35-240) are expressed in Escherichia coli or HEK293 cells with >90% purity, suitable for SDS-PAGE and functional studies .
CEACAM21 participates in multiple cellular processes:
Immune regulation: Modulates T-cell activation and innate immune responses via interactions with Galectin-3 .
Cell adhesion: Engages in homophilic (CEACAM21-CEACAM21) and heterophilic binding (e.g., with CEACAM19) .
Pathogen interactions: Serves as a receptor for microbial adhesins, influencing infection dynamics .
Key functional partners identified via STRING analysis include:
Interacting Protein | Function | Interaction Score |
---|---|---|
SYK | Tyrosine kinase signaling | 0.613 |
VAV1 | GTPase activation in immune cells | 0.524 |
CEACAM19 | Cell adhesion partner | 0.652 |
CEACAM21 overexpression correlates with clinical conditions:
Commercially available recombinant proteins enable functional studies:
Immune evasion: CEACAM21 interacts with PD1/PD-L1 on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, suggesting combinatorial targeting potential in immunotherapy-resistant cancers .
Structural insights: The IgV-like domain (residues 35-130) mediates binding to bacterial HopQ virulence factors, facilitating mucosal colonization by Helicobacter pylori .
Genetic variation: Alternative splicing generates isoforms with divergent cytoplasmic tails, influencing signal transduction outcomes .
Current research gaps include:
MGSSHHHHHH SSGLVPRGSH MGSWLFIASA PFEVAEGENV HLSVVYLPEN LYSYGWYKGK TVEPNQLIAA YVIDTHVRTP GPAYSGRETI SPSGDLHFQN VTLEDTGYYN LQVTYRNSQI EQASHHLRVY ESVAQPSIQA SSTTVTEKGS VVLTCHTNNT GTSFQWIFNN QRLQVTKRMK LSWFNHVLTI DPIRQEDAGE YQCEVSNPVS SNRSDPLKLT VKSDDNTLG.
CEACAM21 is a protein-coding gene that encodes a cell surface glycoprotein. The structure of CEACAM21 includes an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain is responsible for mediating cell-cell adhesion through homophilic and heterophilic interactions .
CEACAM21 is expressed in various tissues, including epithelial cells and immune cells. Its expression can be modulated by different factors, such as cytokines and bacterial infections. For instance, certain pathogens like non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis can increase the expression of CEACAMs in bronchial epithelial cells .
CEACAM21, like other members of the CEACAM family, is associated with several diseases. It has been linked to conditions such as ethmoid sinus inverted papilloma and ethmoidal sinus benign neoplasm . Additionally, CEACAMs are known to play a role in cancer biology. They can influence tumor progression and immune responses, making them potential targets for cancer therapy .
The clinical significance of CEACAM21 lies in its potential as a biomarker for certain diseases and its role in immune modulation. Understanding the regulation and function of CEACAM21 can provide insights into its role in disease mechanisms and aid in the development of therapeutic strategies.
Research on CEACAM21 and other CEACAMs continues to uncover their complex roles in health and disease. The therapeutic potential of targeting CEACAMs in cancer and other diseases is an area of active investigation. By modulating CEACAM expression or function, it may be possible to develop new treatments for various conditions .