Rat Podocalyxin, PCX ELI

Involved in the regulation of both adhesion and cell morphology and cancer progression.

Functions as an anti-adhesive molecule that maintains an open filtration pathway between neighboring foot processes in the podocyte by charge repulsion.

Acts as a pro-adhesive molecule, enhancing the adherence of cells to immobilized ligands, increasing the rate of migration and cell-cell contacts in an integrin-dependent manner.

Induces the formation of apical actin-dependent microvilli.

Involved in the formation of a preapical plasma membrane subdomain to set up initial epithelial polarization and the apical lumen formation during renal tubulogenesis.

Plays a role in cancer development and aggressiveness by inducing cell migration and invasion through its interaction with the actin-binding protein EZR.

Affects EZR-dependent signaling events, leading to increased activities of the MAPK and PI3K pathways in cancer cells.