Biolegend, 826701, Purified anti-CD171 (L1) Antibody (Previously Covance catalog# SIG-3911)

L1, also known as L1CAM, is a transmembrane protein; it is a neuronal cell adhesion molecule, member of the L1 protein family, of 200-220 kDa, and involved in axon guidance and cell migration with a strong implication in treatment-resistant cancers. L1CAM has also been designated CD171 (cluster of differentiation 171). The protein encoded by this gene is an axonal glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily of proteins. The ectodomain, consisting of several immunoglobulin-like domains and fibronectin-like repeats (type III), is linked via a single transmembrane sequence to a conserved cytoplasmic domain. This cell adhesion molecule plays an important role in nervous system development, including neuronal migration, and differentiation. Mutations in the gene cause three X-linked neurological syndromes known by the acronym CRASH (corpus callosum hypoplasia, retardation, aphasia, spastic paraplegia and hydrocephalus). Alternative splicing of a neuron-specific exon is thought to be functionally relevant. CD171 has been shown to function as a cell adhesion molecule mediating homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell interactions in neuronal myelination, neurite outgrowth and regeneration. Expression of CD171 is found on tetanus-toxin positive neurons, endothelial cells, certain epithelial cells, reticular fibroblasts and several malignant tumors including colon and breast carcinomas, colon melanoma, tumor cells of neuronal and mesothelial origin, where a role of CD171 in augmenting tumor growth has been demonstrated. Thus, CD171 is considered a novel marker for carcinoma progression. CD171 displays binding to a number of ligands including homophilic interaction with itself and heterophilic binding to integrins, other cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix molecules and thus plays a vital role in cell adhesion and signal transduction. It is involved in the development of the nervous system and regulates processes such as neuron-neuron adhesion, myelination, axonal guidance, and neuronal migration.