1 The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China 
2 National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract 

The nervous system is a complex network with many types of neurons and numerous synaptic connections. The present knowledge on how neurons recognize specific targets and form such an intricate network is still limited. The Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM) belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and contributes to defects in the central nervous system in Down syndrome patients. DSCAM plays important roles in neural development, including dendritic patterning and self-avoidance, axon guidance and branching, axon target recognition and synaptic formation. However, the functional mechanisms and the underlying signaling pathways are still largely unknown. Here the functions of DSCAM in neural development were reviewed. Future research for better understanding DSCAM function and the relevance of DSCAM to human diseases was also discussed.

Keywords

Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule; neural development; Down syndrome

[SpringerLink]