Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM, also the cluster of differentiation CD56) is a homophilic binding glycoprotein expressed on the surface of neurons, glia, skeletal muscle and natural killer cells. NCAM has been implicated as having a role in cell–cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory.
Read more about Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule: Forms, Domains and Homophilic Binding, Minor Exons, Posttranslational Modification, Function, Pathology, Anti-NCAM Therapy
Famous quotes containing the words cell and/or molecule:
“each in the cell of himself is almost convinced of his freedom,”
—W.H. (Wystan Hugh)
“We can come up with a working definition of life, which is what we did for the Viking mission to Mars. We said we could think in terms of a large molecule made up of carbon compounds that can replicate, or make copies of itself, and metabolize food and energy. So that’s the thought: macrocolecule, metabolism, replication.”
—Cyril Ponnamperuma (b. 1923)