PCDH11Y Activators

Protocadherin 11 Y-linked (PCDH11Y) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PCDH11Y gene located on the Y chromosome. This gene is part of the protocadherin family, which is a subgroup of the cadherin superfamily. Cadherins are a class of type-1 transmembrane proteins, and they are dependent on calcium ions to function, playing a vital role in cell adhesion, forming the adherens junction to bind cells within tissues together.

PCDH11Y is thought to have a role in the development of the nervous system and is predominantly expressed in the brain. It may contribute to the complex wiring and function of neural circuits and has been implicated in the processes of cognition and memory. The protocadherin family, to which PCDH11Y belongs, is known for its involvement in providing the molecular basis for cellular diversity in the nervous system and for facilitating the specific pathways of neuronal connections.The presence of this gene on the Y chromosome suggests that it may also have functions or effects that are sex-specific,influencing differences in the male brain structure or function. Its evolutionary history is notable, as it is a result of a translocation event from chromosome X to Y in the human lineage, and it exists in hominids but not in other mammals. The study of PCDH11Y can offer insights into the genetic differences between sexes and the development of the human brain.