The sticky synapse: Chapter13. Cell Adhesion Molecules of the NCAM Family and their Role at Synapses

Sylwia Elzbieta Owczarek, Lars Villiam Kristiansen, Michael Hortsch, Peter Schledermann Walmod, Michael Hortsch (Redaktør), Hisashi Umemori (Redaktør)

Publikation: Bog/antologi/afhandling/rapportBogForskning

8 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

NCAM-type proteins modulate multiple neuronal functions, including the outgrowth and guidance of neurites, the formation, maturation, and plasticity of synapses, and the induction of both long-term potentiation and long-term depression. The ectodomains of NCAM proteins have a basic structure of five amino-terminal immunoglobulin (Ig), followed by two fibronectin type III (FnIII) modules. As a result of alternative splicing, many NCAM-type proteins exist in several isoforms, including both transmembrane and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored versions. Extracellularly, NCAM proteins mediate cell-cell adhesion through homophilic interactions and bind to growth factors, growth factor receptors, glutamate receptors, other CAMs, and components of the extracellular matrix. Intracellularly, NCAM-type proteins interact with various cytoskeletal proteins and regulators of intracellular signal transduction. A central feature of the synaptic function of NCAM proteins is the regulation of their extracellular interactions by adhesion-modulating glycoepitopes, their removal from the cell surface by endocytosis, and the elimination of their adhesion-mediating interactions by the proteolytic cleavage of their ectodomains. Although specific aspects of NCAM proteins have changed through evolution, core structural and functional features are conserved between NCAM-type proteins in vertebrates and invertebrates, demonstrating that the functions of this class of adhesive proteins are of general importance during nervous system formation.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
ForlagSpringer
Udgave1
Antal sider35
ISBN (Trykt)978-0-387-92707-7
ISBN (Elektronisk)978-0-387-92708-4
StatusUdgivet - 2009

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