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Concept
CD31
Summary
Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) also known as cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PECAM1 gene found on chromosome17q23.3. PECAM-1 plays a key role in removing aged neutrophils from the body.
PECAM-1 is a highly glycosylated protein with a mass of approximately 130 kDa. The structure of this protein was determined by molecular cloning in 1990, when it was found out that PECAM-1 has N-terminal domain with 574 amino acids, transmembrane domain with 19 amino acids and C-terminal cytoplasmic domain with 118 amino acids. The N-terminal domain consists of six extracellular Ig-like domains.
PECAM-1 is a cell-cell adhesion protein which interacts with other PECAM-1 molecules through homophilic interactions or with non-PECAM-1 molecules through heterophilic interactions. Homophilic interactions between PECAM-1 molecules are mediated by antiparallel interactions between extracellular Ig-like domain 1 and Ig-like domain 2. These interactions are regulated by the level of PECAM-1 expression. Homophilic interactions occur, only when the surface expression of PECAM-1 is high. Otherwise, when expression is low, heterophilic interactions occur.
CD31 is normally found on endothelial cells, platelets, macrophages and Kupffer cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, and NK cells), megakaryocytes, and osteoclasts.
In immunohistochemistry, CD31 is used primarily to demonstrate the presence of endothelial cells in histological tissue sections. This can help to evaluate the degree of tumor angiogenesis, which can imply a rapidly growing tumor. Malignant endothelial cells also commonly retain the antigen, so that CD31 immunohistochemistry can also be used to demonstrate both angiomas and angiosarcomas. It can also be demonstrated in small lymphocytic and lymphoblastic lymphomas, although more specific markers are available for these conditions.
PECAM-1 is found on the surface of platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, and some types of T-cells, and makes up a large portion of endothelial cell intercellular junctions.
Official source
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