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The NuGOwiki Metabolite Database is a joint initiative of NuGO and HMDB
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| Carcinoembryonic Antigen | |
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| [[Image:{{{Image}}}|thumb|220px|2D structure for Carcinoembryonic Antigen]] | |
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| Authors: | L. Pellis |
| Affiliations: | TNO, the Netherlands |
Contents |
Introduction
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) was first observed in extracts of colonic carcinoma tissue. Elevated levels are found in serum from patients with a wide variety of tumor types including GI, lung, breast, ovary, and uterus. The frequency of elevated CEA levels increases with the Duke's stage of colonic carcinomas. High levels are more likely in the presence of metastatic disease and prognostically indicate a greater likelihood of metastasis. Levels will usually fall following successful treatment and remain stable. Rising levels in these patients may indicate recurrence. CEA is often elevated in liver disease, and smokers may have slightly elevated levels of CEA.
The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of genes, and consists of approximately 20 genes. Members of the CEA family consist of a single N domain, with structural homology to the immunoglobulin variable domains, followed by a variable number of immunoglobulin constant-like A and/or B domains. Based on sequence similarity and functional characteristics, the CEA family has been subdivided into the CEA subgroup and the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) subgroup.
Biological Function
Various functions have been determined for members of the CEA subgroup in vitro, including cell adhesion, bacterial binding, an accessory role for collagen binding or ecto-ATPases activity.