Sialomucins are a heterogeneous group of secreted or membrane-associated mucins that appear to play 2 key but opposing roles in vivo: first as cytoprotective or antiadhesive agents, and second as adhesion receptors. CD164 is a type I integral transmembrane sialomucin that functions as an adhesion receptor (Watt et al., 1998 [PubMed 9680353]; Forde et al., 2007 [PubMed 17077324]).[supplied by OMIM, Aug 2008].
Function: Sialomucin that may play a key role in hematopoiesis by facilitating the adhesion of CD34(+) cells to the stroma and by negatively regulating CD34(+)CD38(lo/-) cell proliferation. Modulates the migration of umbilical cord blood CD133+ cells and this is mediated through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. May play an important role in prostate cancer metastasis and the infiltration of bone marrow by cancer cells. Promotes myogenesis by enhancing CXCR4-dependent cell motility. Positively regulates myoblast migration and promotes myoblast fusion into myotubes (By similarity).