JAM2

Junctional adhesion molecule B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the JAM2 gene. JAM2 has also been designated as CD322 (cluster of differentiation 322).

Function

Tight junctions represent one mode of cell-to-cell adhesion in endothelial cell sheets, forming continuous seals around cells and serving as a physical barrier to prevent solutes and water from passing freely through the paracellular space. The protein encoded by this immunoglobulin superfamily gene member is localized in the tight junctions between high endothelial cells. It acts as an adhesive ligand for interacting with a variety of immune cell types and may play a role in lymphocyte homing to secondary lymphoid organs.

It is purported to promote lymphocyte transendothelial migration. It might also be involved with endothelial cell polarity, by associating to cell polarity protein PARD3 (PAR-3), together with JAM3.

Interactions

JAM2 has been shown to interact with PARD3.

It also interacts with the integrin dimer VLA-4 (also called α4β1).

External links

• JAM2+protein,+human at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• Overview of all the structural information available in the PDB for UniProt: Q9JI59 (Mouse Junctional adhesion molecule B) at the PDBe-KB.

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.