Description
The human Mel-CAM gene maps to chromosome 11q23 and encodes a trans-membrane glycoprotein, also designated MCAM, MUC 18 or CD146, that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and functions as a Ca2+-independent cell adhesion molecule. MCAM expression is restricted to advanced primary and metastatic melanomas and to cell lines of the neuroectodermal lineage, but not normal melanocytes. It is found on 80% of advanced primary human melanomas and correlates well with development of metastatic disease