Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule Homolog (DSCAM) Antibody

Background

DSCAM (Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule) is a highly versatile transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, involved in neuronal development, cell adhesion, and immune function. DSCAM is known for its extraordinary molecular diversity, generated through alternative splicing, resulting in thousands of isoforms that mediate highly specific cell-cell interactions. In the nervous system, DSCAM plays critical roles in axon guidance, synapse formation, and dendritic self-avoidance, where individual neurons recognize and avoid their own dendrites to establish proper connectivity. In addition, DSCAM is implicated in non-neuronal processes such as immune responses, where it facilitates phagocytosis in certain immune cells. Dysregulation or overexpression of DSCAM has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including Down syndrome, where its gene is overexpressed due to trisomy 21, contributing to cognitive deficits and abnormal brain development. Structurally, DSCAM consists of immunoglobulin and fibronectin domains that mediate its adhesive and signaling functions, with expression patterns that vary across tissues and developmental stages.