Advances in PCDHA Gene Clusters and Their Influence on Neural Development
HUANG Tao*, PI Jinsong
The PCDHs family as Ca2+-dependent cellular adhesion glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in the establishment of neural networks in the brain. The PCDHs family presents cluster and non-cluster distribution on chromosomes. Numerous variable exons within the cluster are randomly expressed in neurons. The combinations of the protein isoforms are abundant, and anchor on the neuron surface as their unique “code” to recognize and mediate the connections between axons or dendrites. This paper summarized reports published at home and abroad in recent years, and described the progress of PCDHA gene clusters, including the gene structure and expression characteristics, the extracellular structure of protein isoforms and the generation of their forces as well as the mediated signaling pathways. PCDHA gene cluster is a potential genetic locus of mental genetic defects, and the related studies are of great value.
CN
EN