The role of basement membrane proteins on the expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in an adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line

We investigated the presence of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in th e adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line CAC2 using immunofluorescence microsco py. Additionally, we analysed the role of laminin and type 1V collagen in N -CAM expression. We demonstrated that cultured adenoid cystic carcinoma cel ls express N-CAM. Control cells presented a scattered N-CAM expression on c ell membrane. and type IV collagen had no effect in N-CAM distribution. CAC 2 cells grown on laminin-coated coverslips expressed N-CAM concentrated on cell lamellipodia suggesting relationship with migratory activity. Our resu lts showed that cultured adenoid cystic carcinoma cells express N-CAM and t his expression is modulated by extracellular matrix. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.