Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule NrCAM Regulates Semaphorin 3F-Induced Dendritic Spine Remodeling

Plexin-B3 suppresses excitatory and promotes inhibitory synapse formation in rat hippocampal neurons

“…The observed inhibitory effect of plexins on glutamatergic synapses is in agreement with multiple studies where the addition of semaphorins has been shown to reduce the number of synapses, or depletion of semaphorins or plexins has led to excessive formation of dendritic spines or excitatory synapses. Such observations have been made in case of class 3 semaphorins whose signals are mediated by A or D class plexins [7,10,9], and Sema5A and Sema5B that use A-plexins as receptors [11,8,41].…”

“…The balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals is crucial for normal functioning of the brain [5]. Semaphorins are usually functioning as negative regulators of dendritic spine and glutamatergic synapse formation [6][7][8][9][10][11]. It is known that several semaphorins and plexins are mutated or aberrantly expressed in ASD where the elimination of inappropriate synapses is disrupted [12][13][14][15][16].…”

Neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NrCAM) is expressed by sensory cells in the cochlea and is necessary for proper cochlear innervation and sensory domain patterning during development

“…Our results add to an increasing body of literature showing a possible role for NrCAM in synaptogenesis in the cochlea. Previously, NrCAM has been shown to mediate both growth cone collapse and spine retraction in cortical neurons in response to Sema3F (Demyanenko et al, ). These published results showed that NrCAM mediates synaptic pruning and has provided a compelling link to the high association of NrCAM polymorphisms in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and why Nrcam‐ null mice demonstrate ASD‐like behaviors (Bonora et al, ; Moy et al, ; Sakurai et al, ).…”

NG2 Glia: Novel Roles beyond Re-/Myelination

“…study of cultured rat NG2 glia [93] Neuronal and oligodendroglial survival [122][123][124] Cell adhesion and extracellular matrix molecules Neuronal cell adhesion molecule, NrCAM Gene expr. study of freshly sorted adult human NG2 glia [125] Maintenance of Na+ channels at nodes of Ranvier [126], dendritic spine remodelling [127] NCAM Gene expr. study of freshly sorted adult human NG2 glia [125] Neuronal plasticity [128], neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis [129], adult neurogenesis [130] Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule, Dscam…”