Protocadherin alpha-1 (PCDHA1)

Protocadherin alpha-1 (PCDHA1) is a protein encoded by the PCDHA1 gene, part of the protocadherin alpha gene cluster located on chromosome 5. It belongs to the cadherin superfamily and is one of several neural cell adhesion proteins that are integral plasma membrane proteins. These proteins likely play a critical role in the establishment and function of specific cell-cell connections in the brain, providing diversity and specificity to neuronal connectivity through homophilic interactions between their extracellular cadherin domains. The protein is organized with six extracellular cadherin domains, a single transmembrane segment, and a cytoplasmic tail. Its expression and alternative splicing are implicated in the molecular basis of neural circuit assembly, with disease associations noted in prostate cancer and autism spectrum disorder, possibly due to its role in neural development and network formation.

Other names

PCDHA1Protocadherin alpha 1PCDH-alpha-1PCDH-ALPHA1KIAA0345-like 13

Not applicable. No drugs target this molecule or receptor directly, so no mechanisms of action are described