title: Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily Regulate Synapse Formation, Maintenance, and Function.
abstract: Immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecules are among the most abundant proteins in vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Prominent family members are the neural cell adhesion molecules NCAM and L1, which were the first to be shown to be essential not only in development but also in synaptic function and as key regulators of synapse formation, synaptic activity, plasticity, and synaptic vesicle recycling at distinct developmental and activity stages. In addition to interacting with each other, adhesion molecules interact with ion channels and cytokine and neurotransmitter receptors. Mutations in their genes are linked to neurological disorders associated with abnormal development and synaptic functioning. This review presents an overview of recent studies on these molecules and their crucial impact on neurological disorders.
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: v.sytnyk@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sytnyk
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Iryna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leshchyns'ka
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China; Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA.
authors.forename: Melitta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schachner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
keywords: learning; memory; neural cell adhesion molecules; synapse; synaptic plasticity