Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 (CADM2) Antibody

Background

CADM2, also known as SynCAM2, is a neuronal cell adhesion molecule involved in synaptic organization, axon guidance, and neural circuit formation. It is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, where it contributes to the development and maintenance of synaptic connections, particularly in excitatory synapses. CADM2 plays a critical role in long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic plasticity, processes essential for learning and memory. It also influences axonal growth and guidance by mediating interactions between neurons and glial cells. CADM2 has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia, where its dysregulation disrupts neural connectivity and cognitive function. Structurally, CADM2 contains extracellular immunoglobulin domains that mediate homophilic and heterophilic binding, enabling synaptic adhesion and signaling. It interacts with intracellular scaffolding proteins and signaling molecules to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular signaling pathways. Beyond the nervous system, CADM2 is also expressed in reproductive tissues and has been linked to processes such as spermatogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that CADM2 may influence metabolic regulation, with genetic variants associated with traits like body weight and energy expenditure.