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The interaction between L1-type proteins and ankyrins - a master switch for L1-type CAM function

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters volume 14, pages 57–69 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

L1-type cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are important mediators of neural differentiation, including axonal outgrowth and pathfinding and also of synapse formation and maintenance. In addition, their interactions with cytoskeletal components are highly conserved and regulated. How these different aspects of CAM functionality relate to each other is not well understood. Based on results from our and other laboratories we propose that ankyrin-binding to L1-type CAMs provides a master switch. The interaction with ankyrins directs L1-type adhesive proteins into different functional contexts, either ankyrin-independent functions, such as neurite outgrowth and axonal pathfinding or into ankyrin-dependent functions, such as L1’s role at axon initial segments (AIS), paranodal regions, synapses and in dendrites.

Abbreviations

AIS:

axon initial segments

CAM:

cell adhesion molecule

EGFR:

epidermal growth factor receptor

FGFR:

fibroblast growth factor receptor

GF:

giant fiber

GPI:

glycosyl phosphoinositol

NMJ:

neuromuscular junction

RTK:

receptor tyrosine kinase

SAP:

synapse-associated proteins

TTMn:

tergotrochanteral motorneuron

VUM:

ventral unpaired median

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Kakanahalli Nagaraj

    Present address: Department of Applied Zoology, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shimoga, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Michael Hortsch & Kakanahalli Nagaraj

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA

    Tanja A. Godenschwege

Authors
  1. Michael Hortsch
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  2. Kakanahalli Nagaraj
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  3. Tanja A. Godenschwege
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Hortsch.

Additional information

The content of this Mini review was first presented in a shortened form at the 12th Mejbaum-Katzenellenbogen Seminar “Membrane Skeleton. Recent Advances and Future Research Directions”, June 15–18, 2008, Zakopane, Poland

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Hortsch, M., Nagaraj, K. & Godenschwege, T.A. The interaction between L1-type proteins and ankyrins - a master switch for L1-type CAM function. Cell Mol Biol Lett 14, 57–69 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-008-0035-4

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Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

ISSN: 1689-1392

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