Abstract: It has been suggested that the neural cell adhesion molecules (N‐CAM) are members of the Ig superfamily. We have exaniained structural homology between the N‐CAM and other superfamily molecules in detail. The Ig‐like domains of N‐CAM have overall sizes similar to ihoseof Ig constant domains or major histocompalibitity complex (MHC) domains. Significant sequence homology was found between the N‐CAM Ig‐like domains and several other Ig superfamily members, such as T4. TH. IgA transport receptor, Ig VH. Ig Cμ4, and others. A comparison of the second domain of T4 (255 amino acids) wiih ihe central domain of N‐CAM (302 amino acids) has demonstrated a significant sequence homology. Furthermore, a cell adhesion protein, cs‐A, of slime mould, Dictyostelium , also seems to be related to N‐CAM. It appears that the Ig superfamily of the immune system originated from more ubiquitous ceil recognition moleeules whieh are eommon in all metazoan species.
Publication Year: 1987
Publication Date: 1987-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 34
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