Rat Junctional Adhesion Molecule 2 (JAM2) Protein

Background

JAM2 is a member of the Junctional Adhesion Molecule (JAM) family, part of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and is primarily expressed in endothelial cells, lymphatic vessels, and certain immune cells. Structurally, JAM2 consists of two extracellular Ig-like domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail that interacts with intracellular signaling molecules and the actin cytoskeleton. JAM2 is involved in cell-cell adhesion, particularly in maintaining endothelial barrier integrity and regulating the movement of immune cells through endothelial junctions. It plays a role in leukocyte transmigration during inflammation and immune surveillance by interacting with integrins, including α4β1 integrin on leukocytes. JAM2 also mediates vascular permeability and contributes to the organization of tight junctions between endothelial and epithelial cells. JAM2 is implicated in pathological processes such as inflammatory diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer metastasis, where it regulates the extravasation of leukocytes and cancer cells. Dysregulation of JAM2 has been linked to abnormal vascular permeability and inflammatory responses, making it a potential therapeutic target in conditions like vascular inflammation and tumor progression.