Human Contactin 4 (CNTN4) Protein

Background

Contactin 4 (CNTN4), a GPI-anchored member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, where it regulates neuronal development and synaptic connectivity. CNTN4 is involved in axon guidance, neuronal migration, and synapse formation by mediating homophilic and heterophilic cell-cell interactions. It interacts with other neural cell adhesion molecules and receptors to establish neural circuits during development, particularly in the auditory and visual systems. CNTN4 has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where its dysregulation affects neural connectivity and cognitive function. Structural studies reveal that CNTN4 contains extracellular immunoglobulin-like and fibronectin type III domains, which facilitate dynamic interactions essential for its role in neural development. Beyond its role in the nervous system, CNTN4 is also expressed in non-neural tissues, where it may contribute to cell adhesion and signaling in developmental and pathological contexts.