Junctional adhesion molecule-C: A multifunctional mediator of cell adhesion.

Abstract

Junctional Adhesion Molecule-C (JAM-C) is a member of the JAM family of cell adhesion molecules. JAM-C is expressed by a large variety of tissues including epithelial and endothelial tissues, neuronal tissues, glial cells, cells of the reproductive system, or cells of the hematopoietic system. Through trans-homophilic as well as trans-heterophilic interactions with the JAM family member JAM-B and with members of the integrin family JAM-C regulates diverse processes including epithelial barrier formation, leukocyte- endothelial interactions and transendothelial migration, neuronal cell migration along glial fibers, myelin sheath integrity, and germ cell migration. In this article, we review the biological activities of JAM-C, including its basic organization, its extracellular and intracellular interaction partners, and its diverse physiological functions.