NCAM is a membrane-bound glycoprotein that plays a role in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion through both its
homophilic and heterophilic binding activity. NCAM shares many features with immunoglobulins and is considered a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily.
NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a cell adhesion protein which is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The encoded protein is involved in cell-to-cell interactions as well as cell-matrix interactions during development and differentiation. The encoded protein has been shown to be involved in development of the nervous system, and for cells involved in the expansion of T cells and dendritic cells which play an important role in immune surveillance. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq]
General function
Comment
Cellular localization
Extracellular Matrix, Secreted, Plasma membrane
Comment
Ovarian function
Follicle development, Antral follicle growth, Luteinization, Early embryo development
Comment
Co-localization of neural cell adhesion molecule and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in early embryo development. Vesterlund L et al. During development there is a multitude of signaling events governing the assembly of the developing organism. Receptors for signaling molecules such as fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) enable the embryo to communicate with the surrounding environment and activate downstream pathways. The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was first characterized as a cell adhesion molecule highly expressed in the nervous system, but recent studies have shown that it is also a signaling receptor. Using a novel single oocyte adaptation of the proximity ligation assay, we here show a close association between NCAM and FGFR2 in mouse oocytes and 2-cell embryos. Real-time PCR analyses revealed the presence of messenger RNA encoding key proteins in downstream signaling pathways in oocytes and early mouse embryos. In summary these findings show a co-localization of NCAM and FGFR2 in early vertebrate development with intracellular signaling pathways present to enable a cellular response.
Mayerhofer A, et al reported the expression and alternative splicing of the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM in human granulosa cells during luteinization.
Freshly aspirated human granulosa cells from pre-ovulatory follicles and granulosa cells luteinized in culture possess the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) of approximate molecular mass of 140,000 and NCAM mRNA as confirmed by S1-nuclease protection assays and RT-PCR. Moreover, in the process of luteinization the NCAM isoform pattern is modified. Isoforms containing an insert of 10 amino acids (termed VASE) in the extracellular domain of NCAM were supplemented by alternatively spliced isoforms without this insert. NCAM immunoreactivity, at light and electron microscope levels, was associated with the cell membrane of most granulosa cells which formed clusters. During time in culture an increasing subpopulation of granulosa cells, devoid of NCAM immunoreactivity, spread out and formed monolayers. This differential expression and the alternative splicing of NCAM during luteinization of granulosa cells raise the possibility that NCAM could be involved in folliculogenesis and the formation of the corpus luteum in the human.
Expression regulated by
Comment
Ovarian localization
Oocyte, Granulosa, Theca, Luteal cells
Comment
Mayerhofer A, et al 1991 reported the expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule in endocrine cells
of the ovary.
The combined use of in situ hybridization histochemistry,
immunocytochemistry at the light and electron microscope levels, S1 nuclease
protection assays, and Western blotting revealed that in the ovary of the adult rat
during the estrus cycle and pregnancy, NCAM mRNA and the 140-kDa isoform of
this protein are expressed mainly in granulosa cells of growing preantral and
antral follicles and in corpora lutea. Since the granulosa cells lining the forming
antrum and the antral fluid were strongly immunoreactive, a role for NCAM in the
formation of the follicular antrum is proposed. The expression of NCAM was also
associated with luteal cells of the active corpus luteum, indicating a role for
NCAM in the morphogenesis of this endocrine compartment. Moreover, thecal
cells of large follicles and hypertrophic thecal cells of atretic follicles expressed
NCAM, as did interstitial cells, which are derived from thecal cells of atretic
follicles.