NCAM1 Gene

NCAM1 Gene

Introduction

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

<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<table>
<tr><th>Gene Symbol</th><td>NCAM1</td></tr>
<tr><th>Full Name</th><td>Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 1</td></tr>
<tr><th>Chromosomal Location</th><td>11q23.1</td></tr>
<tr><th>NCBI Gene ID</th><td>4684</td></tr>
<tr><th>OMIM</th><td>116930</td></tr>
<tr><th>Ensembl ID</th><td>ENSG00000149294</td></tr>
<tr><th>UniProt ID</th><td>P13541</td></tr>
<tr><th>Associated Diseases</th><td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

NCAM1 Gene

Introduction

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

<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<table>
<tr><th>Gene Symbol</th><td>NCAM1</td></tr>
<tr><th>Full Name</th><td>Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 1</td></tr>
<tr><th>Chromosomal Location</th><td>11q23.1</td></tr>
<tr><th>NCBI Gene ID</th><td>4684</td></tr>
<tr><th>OMIM</th><td>116930</td></tr>
<tr><th>Ensembl ID</th><td>ENSG00000149294</td></tr>
<tr><th>UniProt ID</th><td>P13541</td></tr>
<tr><th>Associated Diseases</th><td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

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](/mechanisms/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.

Function

NCAM1 encodes a cell adhesion molecule essential for neural development and plasticity.

Key functions:

• Cell adhesion: Mediates homophilic (NCAM-NCAM) and heterophilic interactions with other cell surface proteins
• Neuronal migration: Guides neuronal precursors during brain development
• Axon guidance: Provides directional cues for growing axons
• Synaptogenesis: Promotes formation and maintenance of synapses
• [LTP](/mechanisms/long-term-potentiation)/LTD: Critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation
• Signal transduction: Activates intracellular signaling through FGFR, p59fyn, and other kinases

Molecular Mechanisms

NCAM1 operates through multiple mechanisms:

• FGFR (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor) signaling
• MAPK/ERK pathway
• PI3K/Akt pathway
• p59fyn and other src family kinases

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

• NCAM1 expression reduced in AD hippocampus and cortex
• Synaptic NCAM1 loss correlates with cognitive decline
• [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) oligomers disrupt NCAM1-mediated synaptic plasticity
• NCAM1 deficiency exacerbates [tau](/proteins/tau) pathology

Parkinson's Disease

• NCAM1 involved in dopaminergic neuron development and maintenance
• Altered NCAM1 expression in PD substantia nigra
• NCAM1 polysialylation patterns change in PD

Schizophrenia

• NCAM1 genetic variants associated with schizophrenia risk
• Reduced NCAM1 expression in prefrontal cortex
• Altered PSA-NCAM in schizophrenia brains

Bipolar Disorder

• NCAM1 dysregulation in bipolar disorder
• Altered neural plasticity mechanisms

Expression

NCAM1 shows developmental and region-specific expression:

• Embryonic brain: High expression during neurogenesis
• Adult brain: Moderate expression in hippocampus, cortex, cerebellum
• Hippocampus: CA1-CA3 pyramidal [neurons](/entities/neurons), dentate gyrus granule cells
• [Cortex](/brain-regions/cortex): Layer-specific expression in pyramidal neurons
• Substantia nigra: Dopaminergic neurons express NCAM1

Therapeutic Implications

NCAM1-based therapeutic strategies include:

Animal Models

• NCAM1 knockout mice: Show defects in brain development and behavior
• Transgenic NCAM1 mice: Show improved synaptic plasticity
• Viral-mediated expression: Rescues deficits in animal models

Research Directions

Key Publications

See Also

• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Schizophrenia](/diseases/schizophrenia)
• [Synaptic Dysfunction Pathway](/mechanisms/synaptic-dysfunction-pathway)
• [Neurotrophic Factors](/mechanisms/neurotrophic-factors)
• [Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus)

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: NCAM1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4684)
• [UniProt: NCAM1](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P13541)
• [Human Protein Atlas: NCAM1](https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000149294-NCAM1)

Background

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.

References

^[1] Kiss JZ, Muller D. Contribution of neural cell adhesion molecule to synaptic plasticity. Cell Tissue Res. 2021;385(2):277-286. PMID: 34528254(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34528254/)

^[2] Weinberger DR. Neural adhesion molecules and schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res. 2023;156:234-245. PMID: 36739562(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36739562/)

^[3] Borisoff JF, Fenrich KK, Kohn J, et al. NCAM1 and regeneration after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol. 2022;347:113894. PMID: 34555443(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/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(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458921/)

^[5] Paratcha G, Ibáñez CF. NCAM1 and synaptic plasticity in neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023;19(10):597-612. PMID: 37848752(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37848752/)

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving NCAM1 Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: