Protocadherin alpha-2 (PCDHA2)

Protocadherin alpha-2 is a neural cadherin-like cell adhesion protein encoded by the PCDHA2 gene, part of the protocadherin alpha gene cluster on chromosome 5, which is involved in generating diversity in cell-surface adhesion molecules in the nervous system. These integral plasma membrane proteins likely play a key role in establishing and maintaining specific cell-cell connections in the brain, mediating homophilic interactions important for neural circuit assembly and potentially neuronal survival. Mutations or altered expression have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, and possibly cancer, but protocadherin alpha-2 itself is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target, nor are there known drugs acting specifically upon it[1][2][3][4][6][7].

Other names

Protocadherin alpha 2PCDH-alpha-2KIAA0345-like 12PCDH-ALPHA2PCDA2_HUMAN