Protocadherin beta-1 (PCDHB1)

Protocadherin beta-1 is a calcium-dependent cell-adhesion molecule, part of the clustered protocadherin gene family tandemly linked on chromosome 5. It is an integral plasma membrane protein composed of 6 extracellular cadherin domains and a unique cytoplasmic tail. These proteins are predominantly expressed in the nervous system and are believed to play a critical role in establishing and maintaining specific cell-cell neural connections, contributing to neural circuit development and synaptic specificity. The gene’s regulation involves epigenetic mechanisms, including methylation-dependent transcriptional repression. While its functions are inferred from broader protocadherin family studies, it is not currently targeted by approved drugs or used directly as a diagnostic biomarker. Disease associations include intellectual disability and some cancers, reflecting broader roles in nervous system development and pathophysiology.

Other names

PCDHB1Protocadherin beta-1PCDH-beta-1PCDH-BETA1protocadherin beta-1

Not applicable; no drugs are known to act directly on Protocadherin beta-1