Basal cell adhesion molecule

Basal cell adhesion molecule (BCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as both a receptor and adhesion molecule, mediating cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions critical for cell adhesion, motility, migration, and invasion (UniProt: P50895). Its extracellular domain binds laminin and other extracellular matrix proteins, while its intracellular domain interacts with cytoskeletal proteins to facilitate signal transduction. JAK2-induced phosphorylation of BCAM activates its adhesion function via a Rap1/AKT signaling pathway (UniProt: P50895).

BCAM is associated with Alzheimer's Disease, where it shows upregulation in human post-mortem AD brain tissue compared to age-matched controls (Chaparral AD proteomics). Quantitative proteomic analysis using TMT-labeled tandem mass spectrometry across four subcellular fractions detected a mean log2 fold-change of 0.61, indicating increased BCAM levels in the AD brain proteome. This elevation may relate to altered adhesion dynamics or cellular responses in the context of neurodegeneration.