TROP1/EpCAM Protein

Quality Statement:
Epithelial Cellular Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM), also known as KS1/4, gp40, GA733-2, 17-1A, and TROP-1, is a 40 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein. Based on its similarity with human EpCAM, cynomolgus/rhesus EpCAM is predicted to consist of a 242 amino acid (aa) extracellular domain with two epidermal­ growth ­factor ­like (EGF­ like) repeats within the cysteine ­rich N ­terminal region, a 23 aa transmembrane domain, and a 26 aa cytoplasmic domain. Owing to its frequent and high expression on carcinomas and their metastases, EpCAM serves as a prognostic marker, a therapeutic target, and an anchor molecule on circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs/DTCs), which are considered the major source for metastatic cancer cells. Today, EpCAM is reckoned as a multi-functional transmembrane protein involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, stemness, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of carcinoma cells. To fulfill these functions, EpCAM is instrumental in intra- and intercellular signaling as a full-length molecule and following regulated intramembrane proteolysis, generating functionally active extra- and intracellular fragments. Intact EpCAM and its proteolytic fragments interact with claudins, CD44, E-cadherin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and intracellular signaling components of the WNT and Ras/Raf pathways, respectively. This plethora of functions contributes to shaping intratumor heterogeneity and partial EMT, which are major determinants of the clinical outcome of carcinoma patients. EpCAM represents a marker for the epithelial status of primary and systemic tumor cells and emerges as a measure for the metastatic capacity of CTCs. Consequentially, EpCAM has reclaimed potential as a prognostic marker and target on primary and systemic tumor cells.

Reference:
1、Gires O. et al. (2020) Expression and function of epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM: Where are we after 40 years? Cancer Metastasis Rev. 39: 969-987.2、Fagotto F. et al. (2020) EpCAM cellular functions in adhesion and migration, and potential impact on invasion: A critical review. Biochim. Biophys. Acta Rev. Cancer. 1874: 188436.