Chemical synapses are asymmetric intercellular junctions that mediate synaptic transmission. Synaptic junctions are organized by trans-synaptic cell adhesion molecules bridging the synaptic cleft. The proteins crossing the synaptic cleft are collectively referred to as synaptic cell adhesion molecules, a somewhat misleading term because these molecules most likely do not only function in cell adhesion, but also in intercellular trans-synaptic signaling. They are known to be involved in the regulation of diverse steps in synapse development and maintenance, including the initial contact between pre- and postsynaptic sides of synapses, formation of early synapses and their differentiation into mature synapses, and maintenance and plasticity of established synapses.
In addition, recent studies have begun to reveal a novel role for adhesion molecules in regulating excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity. Potential mechanisms underlying these functions are often suggested to include direct interaction or close association of adhesion molecules with neurotransmitter receptors, such as NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors (NMDARs and AMPARs, respectively).
Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal proteins (LRRTMs) function as postsynaptic organizers that induce excitatory synapses. The LRRTM family consists of four type I transmembrane glycoproteins within the LRR protein superfamily. All members of this family are type I transmembrane proteins that contain 10 external LRR repeats plus a short cytoplasmic tail that binds PDF motifs. LRRTMs in mouse show distinct expression patterns during formation of the central nervous system and expression persists in adult brain. LRRTM1 polymorphisms are associated paternally with handedness and schizophrenia, while LRRTM3 may be mutated in late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DPAB-L20698 | Anti-LRRTM1 (C-terminal) polyclonal antibody | H | ELISA |
Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal proteins (LRRTMs) function as postsynaptic organizers that induce excitatory synapses. The LRRTM family consists of four type I transmembrane glycoproteins within the LRR protein superfamily. All members of this family are type I transmembrane proteins that contain 10 external LRR repeats plus a short cytoplasmic tail that binds PDF motifs. LRRTMs in mouse show distinct expression patterns during formation of the central nervous system and expression persists in adult brain. LRRTM1 polymorphisms are associated paternally with handedness and schizophrenia, while LRRTM3 may be mutated in late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DPABH-25969 | Anti-LRRTM3 (aa 456-505) polyclonal antibody | H | WB |
| DPABH-19323 | Anti-LRRTM3 (aa 1-100) polyclonal antibody | H | WB |
Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), also called CD56, is a homophilic binding glycoprotein expressed on the surface of neurons, glia and skeletal muscle. The expression of CD56 is mostly associated with, but not limited to, natural killer cells. CD56 has been detected on other lymphoid cells, including gamma delta (γδ) Τ cells and activated CD8+ T cells, as well as on dendritic cells. NCAM has been implicated as having a role in cell–cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DCABH-9650 | Anti-NCAM1 monoclonal antibody, clone FQ3678Z | H | WB, IP, FC, ICC/IF, IHC-P |
| DCABY-4104 | Anti-NCAM1 monoclonal antibody, clone 402050 | H | WB, FC, ELISA |
| DPABH-28178 | Anti-NCAM1 polyclonal antibody | M, R | IHC-P, WB |
The neural cell adhesion molecule 2 (NCAM2), sometimes designated OCAM, belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. NCAM2 participates in homophilic trans-interactions. During human embryonic development, NCAM2 is expressed in several tissues, including lung, liver, and kidney with the highest expression in the brain17. The expression level of NCAM2 peaks around postnatal day 21 and remains high during adulthood, suggesting that the protein is necessary both during development and in adult brains. NCAM2 overexpression has been suggested to be one of the factors contributing to the symptoms of Down syndrome.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DCABH-5856 | Anti-NCAM2 monoclonal antibody, clone FQS23926(C) | H | WB, IHC-P, ICC/IF, IP |
| DPAB-DC2000 | Anti-NCAM2 (aa 598-695) polyclonal antibody | H | ELISA, WB |
| DPABH-25763 | Anti-NCAM2 (aa 822-836) polyclonal antibody | H | ELISA, IHC-P |
Neuroligins (NLs) are postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules essential for normal synapse function. Neuroligins act as ligands for β-Neurexins, which are cell adhesion proteins located presynaptically. Neuroligin and β-neurexin "shake hands", resulting in the connection between two neurons and the production of a synapse. Neuroligins also affect the properties of neural networks by specifying synaptic functions, and they mediate signalling by recruiting and stabilizing key synaptic components. Neuroligins interact with other postsynaptic proteins to localize neurotransmitter receptors and channels in the postsynaptic density as the cell matures. Neuroligin 1 localizes at excitatory synapses, neuroligin 2 at inhibitory synapses and neuroligin 3 at both. Reduction in the levels of neuroligins 1, 2 and 3 results in a strong reduction of inhibitory input but little reduction in excitatory input. Neuroligin 1 is a synaptic cell-adhesion molecule that is enriched in postsynaptic densities where it may recruit receptors, channels, and signal-transduction molecules to synaptic sites of cell adhesion.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DPABH-03868 | Anti-NLGN1 (aa 119-295) polyclonal antibody | H | WB |
| CABT-B1609 | Anti-NLGN1 (phospho T739) polyclonal antibody | M, R | WB, IP |
Protocadherins (Pcdhs) are the largest mammalian subgroup of the cadherin superfamily of homophilic cell-adhesion proteins. The protocadherins (Pcdhs) comprise a major family of cell surface receptors expressed in the developing vertebrate nervous system. Structurally the protocadherins differ from the classic cadherins in that they do not have propeptide sequences and the extracellular domains contain more than five cadherin repeats (usually six or seven). Protocadherin-1 is a membrane protein found at cell-cell boundaries. It is involved in neural cell adhesion, suggesting a possible role in neuronal development.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DPAB-DC2110 | Anti-PCDH1 (aa 62-169) polyclonal antibody | H | WB, ELISA |
| DPABH-08988 | Anti-PCDH1 (aa 186-214) polyclonal antibody | H | WB, IHC-P, ICC/IF |
| CABT-B10899 | Anti-Human PCDH1 monoclonal antibody, clone 6E6 | H | WB, IHC, IF, ELISA |
SynCAM is a brain-specific, immunoglobulin domain–containing protein that binds to intracellular PDZ-domain proteins and functions as a homophilic cell adhesion molecule at the synapse. Expression of the isolated cytoplasmic tail of SynCAM in neurons inhibited synapse assembly. Conversely, expression of full-length SynCAM in nonneuronal cells induced synapse formation by cocultured hippocampal neurons with normal release properties. SynCAM 1 participates in axo-dendritic interactions, indicating early roles in the contact-mediated differentiation of synapses. At later developmental stages, SynCAM proteins are enriched in pre- and postsynaptic plasma membranes and engage in specific homo- and heterophilic adhesive interactions.
| Cat. No | Product Name | Reactivity | Application |
| DCABH-3390 | Anti-CADM1 monoclonal antibody, clone JNH52O4E4 | H | WB |
| DPAB-DC1134 | Anti-CADM1 (aa 151-250) polyclonal antibody | H | WB, ELISA |
Species: H Human; M Mouse; R Rat; Z Zebrafish; X Xenopus laevis; B Bovine; C Cow; D Dog; P Pig; Q Quail; G Goat; Ch Chicken
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