Contactin-5 (CNTN5)

Contactin-5 (CNTN5) is a neural cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily, anchored to the neuronal cell membrane via a GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol) anchor[1][3][4]. It features six N-terminal immunoglobulin (Ig) domains, four fibronectin type III domains, and lacks a transmembrane/intracellular region[3][4]. CNTN5 is expressed predominantly in the central nervous system—especially during embryonic and postnatal development—in regions implicated in complex neuronal circuit formation such as the forebrain and thalamocortical areas. Its main biological functions are in regulating target-specific axon arborization, synapse formation, and dendritic branching, which it achieves via both homophilic (self-binding) and heterophilic interactions with partners such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), APLP1, and receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase gamma (PTPRG)[1][3]. Null-mutation or deficiency of CNTN5 leads to impairments in synaptic assembly and increased neuronal apoptosis, with emerging relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder[1][3][5]. Although no drugs directly targeting CNTN5 are known and its use in pharmacological therapy is not established, its roles in disease and neural circuitry make it a molecule of interest for biomarker and therapeutic research in neuropsychiatric and developmental conditions[1][3][5].

Other names

Contactin-5CNTN5hNB-2NB-2Neural recognition molecule NB-2HNB-2sneural adhesion moleculeneural recognition molecule NB-2