PECAM is transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the Ig-related superfamily of adhesion molecules. It is highly expressed at endothelial cell junctions, and also expressed in platelets and in most leukocyte sub-types. The primary function of PECAM-1 is the mediation of leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and signal transduction. PECAM-1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammation related disorders, including thrombosis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and rheumatoid arthritis. The human PECAM-1 gene codes for a 738 amino acid transmembrane glycoprotein containing a 118 amino acid cytoplasmic domain, a 19 amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 574 amino acid extracellular domain. Recombinant human PECAM-1 is a 572 amino acid glycoprotein comprising the extracellular domain of PECAM-1. Monomeric glycosylated PECAM-1 migrates at an apparent molecular weight of approximately 80.0-95.0 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis under reducing conditions.
