Chemical bonding in the nervous system

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is critical in brain development, directing cell growth and forming adhesive contacts between cells. This molecule may lose its adhesion properties when attached to polysialic acid (PSA). Reflectivity studies provide unique structural insights into the impact of PSA on cell adhesion and associated biological functions.

Overall structure of NCAM on the cell membrane. On the left, normal adhesion
between two NCAM proteins. On the right, NCAM is modified by polysialic acid (Image credit: D. Leckband, copyright 2005 D. Leckband).

Further information:

• Structural Basis of the Regulation of Cell Adhesion in Brain Development and Disease

• Ref.: C.P. Johnson et al., Biochemistry, 44, 546 (2005).