A comparative overview of DSCAM and its multifunctional roles in Drosophila and vertebrates

• Published in: Neuroscience research 2024-05, Vol.202, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Hizawa, Kento, Sasaki, Takuya, Arimura, Nariko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Animals; Avoidance; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cell Adhesion Molecules - genetics; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Drosophila; Drosophila Proteins - genetics; Drosophila Proteins - metabolism; DSCAM; Humans; Neurons - metabolism; Neurons - physiology; Synapse; Vertebrate; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0168-0102; 1872-8111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2023.12.005

DSCAM (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) is a unique neuronal adhesion protein with extensively documented multifaceted functionalities. DSCAM also has interesting properties in vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. In Drosophila species, particularly, Dscam exhibits remarkable genetic diversity, with tens of thousands of splicing isoforms that modulate the specificity of neuronal wiring. Interestingly, this splice variant diversity of Dscam is absent in vertebrates. DSCAM plays a pivotal role in mitigating excessive adhesion between identical cell types, thereby maintaining the structural and functional coherence of neural networks. DSCAM contributes to the oversight of selective intercellular interactions such as synaptogenesis; however, the precise regulatory mechanisms underlying the promotion and inhibition of cell adhesion involved remain unclear. In this review, we aim to delineate the distinct molecules that interact with DSCAM and their specific roles within the biological landscapes of Drosophila and vertebrates. By integrating these comparative insights, we aim to elucidate the multifunctional nature of DSCAM, particularly its capacity to facilitate or deter intercellular adhesion. •DSCAM, a cell adhesion molecule, plays a key role in neural circuit development.•The Dscam gene undergoes alternative splicing in Drosophila but not in vertebrates.•Comparison of DSCAM in different organisms can help elucidate its many functions.