Junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the F11R gene. JAM-A (also known as F11R, JAM-1) was the first of the junctional adhesion molecules to be discovered, and is located in the tight junctions of both epithelial and endothelial cells.
Functions JAM-1 interacts with cells in a homophilic manner in order to preserve the structure of the junction while moderating its permeability. It can also interact with receptors as a heterophilic structure by acting as a ligand for LFA-1 and facilitating leukocyte transmigration. JAM-1 also plays a significant role in many different cellular functions, including being both a reovirus receptor and a platelet receptor.
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