VCAM-1

Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 also known as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the VCAM1 is_associated_with::gene. VCAM-1 functions as a is_associated_with::cell adhesion molecule.

Structure
The VCAM-1 gene contains six or seven is_associated_with::immunoglobulin domains, and is expressed on both large and small is_associated_with::blood vessels only after the is_associated_with::endothelial cells are stimulated by is_associated_with::cytokines. It is alternatively spliced into two known is_associated_with::RNA transcripts that encode different isoforms in humans. The gene product is a cell surface is_associated_with::sialoglycoprotein, a type I membrane protein that is a member of the Ig superfamily.

Function
The VCAM-1 protein mediates the adhesion of is_associated_with::lymphocytes, is_associated_with::monocytes, is_associated_with::eosinophils, and is_associated_with::basophils to vascular is_associated_with::endothelium. It also functions in leukocyte-endothelial cell is_associated_with::signal transduction, and it may play a role in the development of is_associated_with::atherosclerosis and is_associated_with::rheumatoid arthritis.

Upregulation of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells by cytokines occurs as a result of increased is_associated_with::gene transcription (e.g., in response to is_associated_with::Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and is_associated_with::Interleukin-1 (IL-1)) and through stabilization of is_associated_with::Messenger RNA (mRNA) (e.g., is_associated_with::Interleukin-4 (IL-4)). The promoter region of the VCAM-1 gene contains functional tandem is_associated_with::NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) sites. The sustained expression of VCAM-1 lasts over 24 hours.

Primarily, the VCAM-1 protein is an endothelial is_associated_with::ligand for is_associated_with::VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen-4 or integrin α4β1) of the β1 subfamily of is_associated_with::integrins. VCAM-1 expression has also been observed in other cell types (e.g., is_associated_with::smooth muscle cells). It has also been shown to interact with EZR and is_associated_with::Moesin.

Pharmacology
Certain is_associated_with::melanoma cells can use VCAM-1 to adhere to the endothelium, and VCAM-1 may participate in monocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic sites. As a result, VCAM-1 is a potential is_associated_with::drug target.