Protocadherin-11 Y-linked (PCDH11Y)

Protocadherin-11 Y-linked (PCDH11Y) is a protein-coding gene located on the Y chromosome and is a member of the protocadherin family, a subfamily of the cadherin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules[1][7]. The protein has an extracellular domain with seven cadherin repeats, a transmembrane domain, and a unique cytoplasmic tail[1][7]. PCDH11Y emerged in humans approximately 6 million years ago due to duplication from the X chromosome, creating a gene pair (PCDH11X/Y) that may be hominin-specific[1][2][6]. PCDH11Y is expressed predominantly in the cerebral cortex and brain regions, where it is implicated in synaptogenesis and neuronal network formation during brain development—possibly influencing human-specific traits like cerebral asymmetry and language lateralization[1][2][6]. A specific isoform is expressed in seminal germ cells, playing a role in spermatogonial differentiation and male reproductive biology[1]. While PCDH11Y has been investigated as a candidate for susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, current genetic studies do not support a major role in disorders like autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder[2]. There are no known drugs that directly target PCDH11Y, and it is not currently considered a therapeutic target[1][2][7].

Other names

Protocadherin-11 Y-linkedPCDH11YPCDH11PCDH22PCDHYProtocadherin-11PCDH-YProtocadherin-PCProtocadherin on the Y chromosomeProtocadherin prostate cancerProtocadherin-22PCDH-PCPCDHX