CADM4 (Cell Adhesion Molecule 4), also known as SynCAM4 or IGSF4C, is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (IgSF-CAMs). It plays a critical role in intercellular adhesion, synaptic organization, and signaling in both neural and non-neural tissues. Structurally, CADM4 contains extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail mediating intracellular interactions. It is implicated in neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and tumor suppression, with studies linking its dysregulation to neurodevelopmental disorders and cancers like glioblastoma and melanoma.
CADM4 antibodies are immunological tools targeting specific epitopes of the protein, widely used in research to investigate its expression, localization, and function. These antibodies enable techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Their applications span studying CADM4's role in neural circuit formation, tumor microenvironment modulation, and interactions with viral pathogens (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus). Validated CADM4 antibodies are essential for distinguishing its activity from related family members (e.g., CADM1-3) due to structural similarities. Current research focuses on clarifying its dual roles in tumor suppression and potential oncogenic signaling, highlighting its therapeutic and diagnostic relevance.