NCAM Inhibitors

The Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) is a cell surface glycoprotein that plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes such as cell-cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory in the central nervous system. NCAM is a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, and its function is regulated through a series of post-translational modifications, notably the addition of polysialic acid (PSA) chains to its extracellular domain. PSA-NCAM, the polysialylated form of NCAM, is recognized for its roles in neural plasticity, cell migration, and spatial learning. Given the diverse and crucial roles NCAM plays in cellular processes, the modulation of its activity can have profound effects on cellular behavior and neural functions.

Inhibitors targeting NCAM aim to modulate its activity, often to attenuate its downstream effects. The chemical class of NCAM inhibitors is diverse and includes molecules that can interfere with NCAM's interaction with other cellular components, alter its post-translational modifications, or modulate the signaling pathways in which NCAM is involved. Some inhibitors target the polysialylation process, thereby affecting the levels of PSA-NCAM. Others might target the protein-protein interactions that NCAM engages in, disrupting its functional interactions and downstream signaling.