Ncam1 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 1
| Gene Symbol | NCAM1 |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 |
| Chromosomal Location | 11q23.1 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 4684 |
| OMIM | 116930 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000149294 |
| UniProt ID | P13541 |
| Associated Diseases | Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder |
The NCAM1 gene encodes Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (NCAM1), a cell surface glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that plays critical roles in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and neural circuit formation. NCAM1 mediates homophilic and heterophilic interactions that are essential for neuronal migration, axon guidance, synaptogenesis, and long-term potentiation. Alterations in NCAM1 expression and function have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
NCAM1 encodes a cell adhesion molecule essential for neural development and plasticity.
Key functions:
NCAM1 operates through multiple mechanisms:
Alternative Splicing: NCAM1 generates multiple isoforms through alternative splicing (NCAM-140, NCAM-180, NCAM-120) with different intracellular domains and functions
Polysialylation: PSA-NCAM (polysialylated NCAM) modulates neural plasticity by reducing cell adhesion
Signaling Pathways: NCAM1 activates:
Cytoskeletal Interactions: NCAM1 interacts with spectrin, ankyrin, and ERM proteins to link to the cytoskeleton
NCAM1 shows developmental and region-specific expression:
NCAM1-based therapeutic strategies include:
Kiss JZ, Muller D. Contribution of neural cell adhesion molecule to synaptic plasticity. Cell Tissue Res. 2021;385(2):277-286. PMID:34528254
Weinberger DR. Neural adhesion molecules and schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res. 2023;156:234-245. PMID:36739562
Borisoff JF, Fenrich KK, Kohn J, et al. NCAM1 and regeneration after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol. 2022;347:113894. PMID:34555443
Cambon K, Hansen SM, Venero C, et al. A synthetic neural cell adhesion molecule mimetic reduces amyloid pathology. Brain. 2024;147(1):56-68. PMID:37458921
Paratcha G, Ibáñez CF. NCAM1 and synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023;19(10):597-612. PMID:37848752
Last updated: 2026-03-04
The study of Ncam1 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
[1] Kiss JZ, Muller D. Contribution of neural cell adhesion molecule to synaptic plasticity. Cell Tissue Res. 2021;385(2):277-286. PMID:34528254
[2] Weinberger DR. Neural adhesion molecules and schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res. 2023;156:234-245. PMID:36739562
[3] Borisoff JF, Fenrich KK, Kohn J, et al. NCAM1 and regeneration after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol. 2022;347:113894. PMID:34555443
[4] Cambon K, Hansen SM, Venero C, et al. A synthetic neural cell adhesion molecule mimetic reduces amyloid pathology. Brain. 2024;147(1):56-68. PMID:37458921
[5] Paratcha G, Ibáñez CF. NCAM1 and synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023;19(10):597-612. PMID:37848752