Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM)

Lutheran blood group glycoprotein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and a receptor for the extracellular matrix protein, laminin. The protein contains five, N-terminus, extracellular immunoglobulin domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short, C-terminal cytoplasmic tail.

This protein may play a role in epithelial cell cancer and in vaso-occlusion of red blood cells in sickle cell disease. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.The BCAM gene encodes a glycoprotein expressed on cell surfaces. It is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of receptors and cell adhesion molecules. When expressed on erythrocytes, BCAM constitutes the Lutheran (Lu) and Auberger (Au) blood group antigens.