Background |
As a typeItransmembrane receptor belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, the human JAM-A, also known as platelet adhesion molecule 1(PAM-1) and platelet F11 receptor, is the firstly identified member of the Junctional Adhesion Molecule (JAM) family comprising at least three members. JAM-A is specifically localized in tight junctions of epithelial and endothelial cells and is involved in the regulation of junctional integrity and permeability by serving as a physical barrier in a homophilic manner. JAM-A is also expressed on the surface of hematopoeitic cells, such as platelets and leukocytes, and acts as a ligand for integrin LFA-1 or a platelet receptor, consequently plays key roles in a variety of cellular processes, including platelet aggregation, leukocyte transmigration, and angiogenesis. In addition, JAM-A has also been implicated in the attachment of reovirus that causes diarrhea in human. |