display22029672927ENSG00000165478ENSMUSG00000046240Q14CZ8Q640R3NM_152722NM_175189NP_689935NP_780398Gene HEPACAM*, named based on its original site of identification - hepatocytes and the nature of its protein product - a cell adhesion molecule (CAM), was first discovered and characterised in human liver.

[5] The gene encodes a protein of 416 amino acids, designated as hepaCAM**, which is a new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (IgSF CAM).

The main biological functions of hepaCAM include a) modulating cell-matrix adhesion and migration, and b) inhibiting cancer cell growth.

[9] In cell signaling, hepaCAM directly interacts with F-actin[10] and calveolin 1,[11] and is capable of inducing senescence-like growth arrest via a p53/p21-dependent pathway.

[13] Mutations in the human HEPACAM gene are linked to forms of leukodystrophy, a group of inherited disorders characterized by degeneration of brain white matter.