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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/epcam/

EPCAM gene

epithelial cell adhesion molecule

Normal Function

The EPCAM gene provides instructions for making a protein known as epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM). This protein is found in epithelial cells, which are the cells that line the surfaces and cavities of the body. The EpCAM protein is found spanning the membrane that surrounds epithelial cells, where it helps cells stick to one another (cell adhesion). In addition, the protein in the cell membrane can be cut at a specific location, releasing a piece called the intracellular domain (EpICD), which helps relay signals from outside the cell to the nucleus of the cell. EpICD travels to the nucleus and joins with other proteins, forming a group (complex) that regulates the activity of several genes that are involved in many cell processes, including growth and division (proliferation), maturation (differentiation), and movement (migration), all of which are important processes for the proper development of cells and tissues.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Lynch syndrome

Certain variants (also known as mutations) in the EPCAM gene are associated with Lynch syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of developing many types of cancer, particularly cancers of the large intestine (colon) and the rectum (collectively called colorectal cancer). These variants account for up to 3 percent of Lynch syndrome cases. On chromosome 2, the EPCAM gene lies next to another gene called MSH2. Each gene provides instructions for making an individual messenger RNA (mRNA), which serves as the genetic blueprint for making the protein. The EPCAM gene variants involved in Lynch syndrome remove a region that signals the end of the gene, which leads to formation of a long mRNA that includes both EPCAM and MSH2.

For unknown reasons, these EPCAM gene variants cause the MSH2 gene to be turned off (inactivated) by a mechanism known as promoter hypermethylation. The promoter is a region of DNA near the beginning of the gene that controls gene activity (expression). Hypermethylation occurs when too many small molecules called methyl groups are attached to the promoter region. The extra methyl groups attached to the MSH2 promoter reduce the expression of the MSH2 gene, which means that less protein is produced in epithelial cells.

The MSH2 protein plays an essential role in repairing errors in DNA; loss of this protein prevents proper DNA repair, and errors accumulate as the cells continue to divide. These errors can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and increase the risk of cancer.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Variants in the EPCAM gene can also cause congenital tufting enteropathy. This condition is characterized by abnormal development of epithelial cells in the intestines. In this condition, the villi, which are small finger-like projections that line the small intestine, are abnormal. In particular, they have "tufts" of extra epithelial cells on their tips. Normally, these projections provide a greatly increased surface area to absorb nutrients. The altered villi are less able to absorb nutrients and fluids than normal tissue, which causes life-threatening diarrhea and poor growth. Congenital tufting enteropathy develops in newborns within days of birth and lasts throughout life.

People with congenital tufting enteropathy have two copies of the altered EPCAM gene in each cell. These variants lead to an absence of functional EpCAM protein. The resulting loss of EpICD signaling leads to abnormal development of intestinal epithelial cells, causing congenital tufting enteropathy.

Other Names for This Gene

  • EGP-2
  • EGP34
  • EGP40
  • Ep-CAM
  • epithelial cell adhesion molecule precursor
  • epithelial glycoprotein 314
  • human epithelial glycoprotein-2
  • TACST-1
  • TACSTD1
  • TROP1
  • tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 1

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Idos G, Valle L. Lynch Syndrome. 2004 Feb 5 [updated 2021 Feb 4]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Gripp KW, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1211/ Citation on PubMed
  • Kuiper RP, Vissers LE, Venkatachalam R, Bodmer D, Hoenselaar E, Goossens M, Haufe A, Kamping E, Niessen RC, Hogervorst FB, Gille JJ, Redeker B, Tops CM, van Gijn ME, van den Ouweland AM, Rahner N, Steinke V, Kahl P, Holinski-Feder E, Morak M, Kloor M, Stemmler S, Betz B, Hutter P, Bunyan DJ, Syngal S, Culver JO, Graham T, Chan TL, Nagtegaal ID, van Krieken JH, Schackert HK, Hoogerbrugge N, van Kessel AG, Ligtenberg MJ. Recurrence and variability of germline EPCAM deletions in Lynch syndrome. Hum Mutat. 2011 Apr;32(4):407-14. doi: 10.1002/humu.21446. Epub 2011 Mar 1. Citation on PubMed
  • Ligtenberg MJ, Kuiper RP, Chan TL, Goossens M, Hebeda KM, Voorendt M, Lee TY, Bodmer D, Hoenselaar E, Hendriks-Cornelissen SJ, Tsui WY, Kong CK, Brunner HG, van Kessel AG, Yuen ST, van Krieken JH, Leung SY, Hoogerbrugge N. Heritable somatic methylation and inactivation of MSH2 in families with Lynch syndrome due to deletion of the 3' exons of TACSTD1. Nat Genet. 2009 Jan;41(1):112-7. doi: 10.1038/ng.283. Epub 2008 Dec 21. Citation on PubMed
  • Maetzel D, Denzel S, Mack B, Canis M, Went P, Benk M, Kieu C, Papior P, Baeuerle PA, Munz M, Gires O. Nuclear signalling by tumour-associated antigen EpCAM. Nat Cell Biol. 2009 Feb;11(2):162-71. doi: 10.1038/ncb1824. Epub 2009 Jan 11. Citation on PubMed
  • Niessen RC, Hofstra RM, Westers H, Ligtenberg MJ, Kooi K, Jager PO, de Groote ML, Dijkhuizen T, Olderode-Berends MJ, Hollema H, Kleibeuker JH, Sijmons RH. Germline hypermethylation of MLH1 and EPCAM deletions are a frequent cause of Lynch syndrome. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2009 Aug;48(8):737-44. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20678. Citation on PubMed
  • Schnell U, Kuipers J, Mueller JL, Veenstra-Algra A, Sivagnanam M, Giepmans BN. Absence of cell-surface EpCAM in congenital tufting enteropathy. Hum Mol Genet. 2013 Jul 1;22(13):2566-71. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt105. Epub 2013 Mar 5. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Sivagnanam M, Mueller JL, Lee H, Chen Z, Nelson SF, Turner D, Zlotkin SH, Pencharz PB, Ngan BY, Libiger O, Schork NJ, Lavine JE, Taylor S, Newbury RO, Kolodner RD, Hoffman HM. Identification of EpCAM as the gene for congenital tufting enteropathy. Gastroenterology. 2008 Aug;135(2):429-37. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.05.036. Epub 2008 May 15. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Tamura K, Kaneda M, Futagawa M, Takeshita M, Kim S, Nakama M, Kawashita N, Tatsumi-Miyajima J. Correction to: Genetic and genomic basis of the mismatch repair system involved in Lynch syndrome. Int J Clin Oncol. 2019 Sep;24(9):1012. doi: 10.1007/s10147-019-01515-w. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.