Description
NCAM2 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (IgCAMs). The neural cell adhesion molecule 2 (NCAM2) is encoded by a gene on chromosome 21 in humans. Neural cell adhesion molecules 2 (NCAM2/OCAM/RNCAM), is a paralog of NCAM1. The protein exists in transmembrane and a lipid-anchored isoform and has an ectodomain consisting of five immunoglobulin modules and two fibronectin type 3 homology modules. Structural models of the NCAM2 ectodomain reveal that it facilitates cell adhesion through reciprocal interactions between the membrane-distal immunoglobulin modules.NCAM (Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule) proteins are involved in axonal migration, synaptic formation, and plasticity. Poor axonal growth and fasciculation are observed in animal models deficient for NCAM2