FAT atypical cadherin 3 (FAT3)

FAT atypical cadherin 3 (FAT3) is a very large, single-pass transmembrane protein and a member of the atypical cadherin superfamily, encoded by the FAT3 gene on chromosome 11q14.3-q21[1][3]. It contains multiple extracellular cadherin repeats, EGF-like, and laminin G-like domains, facilitating calcium-dependent cell adhesion[1]. FAT3 is highly expressed in the central nervous system, especially in developing and mature neurons, and plays roles in regulating neuronal morphology, dendritic differentiation, and microglial morphogenesis[2][3]. While less studied than FAT1 and FAT4, FAT3 has been implicated in cell signaling processes that influence cytoskeletal arrangements and cell adhesion, possibly through interactions with Ena/VASP proteins and by acting upstream of cell differentiation events[1][2]. Mutations or altered expression of FAT3 are associated with several diseases, notably certain cancers (such as ovarian and pancreatic cancer), neurodevelopmental disorders, and spinocerebellar ataxia 45[1][2][3]. FAT3’s large size and domain complexity make it a challenging but potentially significant therapeutic target and disease biomarker[1][3]. No direct drug interactions or therapeutics targeting FAT3 are currently approved or under advanced investigation.

Other names

Protocadherin Fat 3CDHF15KIAA1989hFat3CDHR10Cadherin family member 15FAT tumor suppressor homolog 3cadherin-related family member 10

Drugs targeting FAT3 would theoretically act by modulating cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, or cellular signaling pathways, but no such drugs are currently known or documented.