英語翻譯
Another prominent member of the IgCAM superfamily is the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),which is involved in homotypic and heterotypic interactions with other closely related IgCAMs and which constitutes a clinically relevant diagnostic marker in the surveillance of colon tumors.Together with its paralogues,CEA has been grouped in the CEA-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) family,a subdivision of IgCAMs so far only known from mammals [4].The overall domain organiza¬tion of human CEACAMs,the number of known splice variants and the distribution of orthologues in other mammalian species is presented in Figure 1.It is impor¬tant to note that over the years members of the CEACAM family have been going through a number of name changes; for example,the original biliary glycoprotein (Bgp),later classified as the CD66a antigen,has now become CEACAM1 (for current and historic nomencla¬ture of the CEACAM family see also Figure 1).Though CEACAMs have been studied for decades with regard to their tumor-associated features [5],it appears from recent studies that members of this family are critical modulators of several physiological processes.Moreover,these recep¬tors have been found to be targets for bacterial and viral pathogens that employ CEACAM-binding adhesins to successfully colonize their host [6].This review aims to summarize recent findings with regard to the physiologi¬cal functions of CEACAMs and,by discussing individual members of the family,will also try to highlight the specific features of these closely related molecules.