The L1 family is a family of
cell adhesion molecule
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are a subset of cell surface proteins that are involved in the binding of cells with other cells or with the extracellular matrix (ECM), in a process called cell adhesion. In essence, CAMs help cells stick to each ...
s that includes four different
L1-like proteins.
They are members of the immunoglobulin superfamily (
IgSF CAM
IgSF CAMs (Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules) are cell adhesion molecules that belong to Immunoglobulin superfamily. It is regarded as the most diverse superfamily of CAMs. This family is characterized by their extracellular domains cont ...
). The members of the L1-family in humans are called
L1 or L1cam,
CHL1
Neural cell adhesion molecule L1-like protein also known as close homolog of L1 (CHL1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CHL1'' gene.
CHL1 is a cell adhesion molecule
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are a subset of cell surface pr ...
(close homologue of L1),
Neurofascin
Neurofascin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''NFASC'' gene.
Function
Neurofascin is an L1 family immunoglobulin cell adhesion molecule (see L1CAM) involved in axon subcellular targeting and synapse formation during neural develop ...
and
NRCAM (NgCAM related cell adhesion molecule). L1 family members are found on neurons, especially on their axons. Sometimes they are found on glia, such as Schwann cells,
radial glia
Radial glial cells, or radial glial progenitor cells (RGPs), are bipolar-shaped progenitor cells that are responsible for producing all of the neurons in the cerebral cortex. RGPs also produce certain lineages of glia, including astrocytes and oli ...
and
Bergmann glia
Radial glial cells, or radial glial progenitor cells (RGPs), are bipolar-shaped progenitor cells that are responsible for producing all of the neurons in the cerebral cortex. RGPs also produce certain lineages of glia, including astrocytes and ol ...
cells and, as such, are important for neural cell migration during development. L1 family members are expressed throughout the vertebrate and invertebrate kingdoms.
L1 family members are able to bind to a number of other proteins. As cell adhesion molecules, they often bind "homophilically" to themselves; for example L1 on one cell binding to L1 on an adjacent cell. L1 family members also bind "heterophilically" to members of the contactin or
CNTN1
Contactin 1, also known as CNTN1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ''CNTN1'' gene.
Function
The protein encoded by this g