Contactins are a subgroup of molecules belonging to the

immunoglobulin An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as pathogenic bacteria, bacteria and viruses, includin ...

superfamily that are expressed exclusively in the

nervous system In biology, the nervous system is the complex system, highly complex part of an animal that coordinates its behavior, actions and sense, sensory information by transmitting action potential, signals to and from different parts of its body. Th ...

, as well as in the conduction system of the heart. These proteins are attached to the neuronal membrane by a GPI-anchor. The subgroup consists of six members now referred to as contactin 1-6, but historically they had different names as shown in the table below:

References

{{Set index Cell adhesion molecules GPI-Linked proteins