Glycosylation of neural cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are believed to play key roles during morphogenesis. In this review we focus on neural CAMs belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Data concerning distribution, expression pattern, structure and function of these CAMs are accumulating these years. In general, little is known about the importance of glycosylation for the function of these CAMs. The neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, is probably the best described CAM, and this molecule exhibits special carbohydrate characteristics, e.g. NCAM is polysialylated. Glycosylation of NCAM seems to be regulated during development and to influence the adhesive function of the molecule. Structure, function and glycosylation of NCAM are described in detail.