Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1)
Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) primarily functions as a cell adhesion molecule. It is typically located at borders between endothelial cells, on platelets, and on leukocytes. PECAM-1 functions in cellular adhesion by homotypically binding to itself or heterotypically to integrin aV/beta 3. PECAM-1 is necessary for the transendothelial migration of leukocytes through vascular endothelium. The circulating isoform of PECAM-1 is also involved the process of leukocyte transendothelial migration in addition to signaling phagocytes not to ingest healthy cells through homotypic binding of PECAM-1 on both cell surfaces. During apoptosis this signaling is turned off and the apoptotic cell does not give this repulsion signal, allowing the phagocyte to begin engulfing apoptotic bodies.
Swiss-Prot Accession Number: P16284