Junctional adhesion molecule (JAM), tight junction transmembrane protein

摘要

A transmembrane protein located at tight junctions is disclosed. The protein is expressed in endothelial cells, epithelial cells, megakaryocytic cells and platelets. This protein is called junctional adhesion molecule (JAM). The amino-acid sequence of human JAM and of murine JAM are presented. In addition, the DNA sequences, the genes and recombinant proteins or peptides expressed by the genes or fragments of the genes are disclosed. Furthermore, antibodies binding specifically to JAM or a part of JAM and modifiers, i.e. inhibitors and inducers, of the polymerization of the transmembrane JAM are disclosed, together with the antibodies and the modifier as reagents in diagnostic kits, as well as applications of the modifier as vaccine adjuvant and as active ingredient in medicaments. Finally, transgenic animals or cells overexpressing or lacking JAM are comprised by the disclosure.