Biomaterial Database

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) as a regulator of cell-cell interactions. 1988

U Rutishauser, and A Acheson, and A K Hall, and D M Mann, and J Sunshine

Department of Developmental Genetics and Anatomy, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106.

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) can influence a number of diverse intercellular events, including junctional communication, the association of axons with pathways and targets, and signals that alter levels of neurotransmitter enzymes. These pleiotropic effects appear to reflect the ability of NCAM to regulate membrane-membrane contact required to initiate specific interactions between other molecules. Such regulation can occur through changes in either NCAM expression or the molecule's content of polysialic acid (PSA). When NCAM with a low PSA content is expressed, adhesion is increased and contact-dependent events are triggered. In contrast, the large excluded volume of NCAM PSA can inhibit cell-cell interactions through hindrance of overall membrane apposition.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008562	Membrane Glycoproteins	Glycoproteins found on the membrane or surface of cells.	Cell Surface Glycoproteins,Surface Glycoproteins,Cell Surface Glycoprotein,Membrane Glycoprotein,Surface Glycoprotein,Glycoprotein, Cell Surface,Glycoprotein, Membrane,Glycoprotein, Surface,Glycoproteins, Cell Surface,Glycoproteins, Membrane,Glycoproteins, Surface,Surface Glycoprotein, Cell,Surface Glycoproteins, Cell
D002448	Cell Adhesion	Adherence of cells to surfaces or to other cells.	Adhesion, Cell,Adhesions, Cell,Cell Adhesions
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000954	Antigens, Surface	Antigens on surfaces of cells, including infectious or foreign cells or viruses. They are usually protein-containing groups on cell membranes or walls and may be isolated.	Cell Surface Antigens,Surface Antigens,Surface Markers, Immunological,Cell Surface Antigen,Immunologic Surface Markers,Markers, Immunological Surface,Surface Antigen,Surface Markers, Immunologic,Antigen, Cell Surface,Antigen, Surface,Antigens, Cell Surface,Immunological Surface Markers,Markers, Immunologic Surface,Surface Antigen, Cell,Surface Antigens, Cell
D012794	Sialic Acids	A group of naturally occurring N-and O-acyl derivatives of the deoxyamino sugar neuraminic acid. They are ubiquitously distributed in many tissues.	N-Acetylneuraminic Acids,Acids, N-Acetylneuraminic,Acids, Sialic,N Acetylneuraminic Acids
D015815	Cell Adhesion Molecules	Surface ligands, usually glycoproteins, that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion. Their functions include the assembly and interconnection of various vertebrate systems, as well as maintenance of tissue integration, wound healing, morphogenic movements, cellular migrations, and metastasis.	Cell Adhesion Molecule,Intercellular Adhesion Molecule,Intercellular Adhesion Molecules,Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule,Leukocyte Adhesion Molecules,Saccharide-Mediated Cell Adhesion Molecules,Saccharide Mediated Cell Adhesion Molecules,Adhesion Molecule, Cell,Adhesion Molecule, Intercellular,Adhesion Molecule, Leukocyte,Adhesion Molecules, Cell,Adhesion Molecules, Intercellular,Adhesion Molecules, Leukocyte,Molecule, Cell Adhesion,Molecule, Intercellular Adhesion,Molecule, Leukocyte Adhesion,Molecules, Cell Adhesion,Molecules, Intercellular Adhesion,Molecules, Leukocyte Adhesion