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NCAM in Long-Term Potentiation and Learning

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Structure and Function of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule NCAM

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 663))

Abstract

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is important in regulating neuronal development and plasticity by modulating cell adhesion and signal transduction. Studies using NCAM antibodies have demonstrated a role of NCAM in hippocampal long-term potentiation and in animal learning models. These findings have been supported by the observation that NCAM-deficient mice show altered LTP as well as learning deficits. A particular carbohydrate modification of NCAM, polysialic acid (PSA), has been shown to be important for synaptic plasticity, as demonstrated by impaired LTP and learning in mice deficient in polysialyltransferase enzymes necessary for adding PSA to the NCAM protein as well as in wildtype mice after enzymatic removal of PSA. It is suggested that NCAM and its PSA moiety are involved in synaptic remodeling in LTP and learning, possibly by modulating signal transduction pathways as well as by mediating and permitting adhesive changes in an activity-dependent manner.

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Abbreviations

Ab:

Antibody

AD:

Alzheimer’s Disease

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CAM:

cell adhesion molecule

CaMKII:

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

EM:

Electron microscopy

Endo-N:

Endoneuraminidase N

EPSP:

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

FGFR:

Fibroblast growth factor receptor

GluR2/3:

Glutamate receptor 2/3

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

KO:

Knock-out

LTP:

Long-term potentiation

NCAM:

Neural cell adhesion molecule

PKC:

Protein kinase C

PSA:

Polysialic acid

PSD:

Postsynaptic density

TTX:

Tetrodotoxin

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  1. NeuroSearch A/S, Pederstrupvej 93, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark

    Barbara P. Hartz

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  1. Barbara P. Hartz
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  2. Lars Christian B. Rønn
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Correspondence to Barbara P. Hartz .

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  1. Panum Institute, Dept. Regenerative Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3C, Koebenhavn N, 2200, Denmark

    Vladimir Berezin

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Hartz, B.P., Rønn, L.C.B. (2010). NCAM in Long-Term Potentiation and Learning. In: Berezin, V. (eds) Structure and Function of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule NCAM. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 663. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1170-4_17

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