CD56
CD56, encoded by the NCAM1 gene and also known as NCAM, is an immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion protein. It mediates cell-to-cell and cell-matrix interactions during development and differentiation, and it is a well-known surface marker of natural killer cells. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CD56 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule 1) is a cell adhesion protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It takes part in cell-to-cell and cell-matrix interactions during development and differentiation. In the nervous system it helps regulate neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth and cell migration. In the immune system it is involved in the expansion of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, which contribute to immune surveillance.
CD56 also acts in signal transduction. It interacts with fibroblast growth factor receptors, N-cadherin and other components of the extracellular matrix. It also triggers signalling cascades involving FYN-focal adhesion kinase (FAK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). UniProt records the protein at the cell membrane and in a secreted form, and notes that it acts as a receptor for Zika virus during infection. Alternative splicing of the NCAM1 gene gives multiple transcript variants that encode distinct protein isoforms. The mouse and rat orthologues are both named Ncam1.
HGNC places the NCAM1 gene in the CD molecules group, together with the fibronectin type III domain containing, I-set domain containing and Ig-like cell adhesion molecule families. The cell surface isoform CD56 is linked to several myeloproliferative disorders, including acute myeloid leukaemia. Differential expression is associated with differing disease progression. Higher CD56 expression correlates with lower survival in acute myeloid leukaemia patients. Greater severity of COVID-19 correlates with lower abundance of CD56-expressing NK cells in peripheral blood.
CD56 is a surface molecule on NK cells, and the protein is involved in NK cell expansion and immune surveillance.
CD56 regulates neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth and cell migration, which makes it relevant to studies of how the nervous system develops.
CD56 expression is linked to myeloproliferative disorders, and higher expression correlates with lower survival in acute myeloid leukaemia.
CD56 acts as a Zika virus receptor, and lower abundance of CD56-expressing NK cells correlates with greater COVID-19 severity.
CD56 is an immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion protein that mediates cell-to-cell and cell-matrix interactions. It regulates neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth and cell migration, supports expansion of T, B and NK cells, and signals through FGF receptors, N-cadherin, FYN-FAK, MAPK and PI3K.
The protein is named neural cell adhesion molecule 1, and the gene symbol is NCAM1. Aliases are NCAM and CD56. CD56 refers to a prominent cell surface isoform, and alternative splicing produces several transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms.
Yes. CD56 is implicated in myeloproliferative disorders such as acute myeloid leukaemia, where higher expression correlates with lower survival. Fewer CD56-expressing NK cells in peripheral blood correlate with more severe COVID-19. It also serves as a Zika virus receptor.
Other cell adhesion molecules, NK cell markers and immune-signalling targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P13591; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.