Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily Regulate Synapse Formation, Maintenance, and Function

Vladimir Sytnyk; Iryna Leshchyns'ka; Melitta Schachner

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2017.03.003

Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily Regulate Synapse Formation, Maintenance, and Function

Trends Neurosci. 2017 May;40(5):295-308. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.03.003. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Authors

Vladimir Sytnyk¹, Iryna Leshchyns'ka², Melitta Schachner³

Affiliations

¹ School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: v.sytnyk@unsw.edu.au.
² School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
³ 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.

PMID: 28359630
DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.03.003

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.

Keywords: learning; memory; neural cell adhesion molecules; synapse; synaptic plasticity.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain / metabolism
Brain / physiology*
Humans
Immunoglobulins / metabolism*
Learning / physiology*
Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
Synapses / metabolism
Synapses / physiology*

Substances

Immunoglobulins
Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules