The Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule NCAM and Lipid Rafts

Detergent-resistant membrane microdomains, the so-called lipid rafts, are involved in a wide array of cellular processes including membrane trafficking and intracellular signalling. In connection with the increased interest in lipid rafts, these structures have been reported in a number of studies to be of critical importance for signalling processes mediated by the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). NCAM interacts with and induces signalling via transmembrane and intracellular interaction partners such as the FGF receptor, Fyn kinase, and protein kinase C. Moreover, NCAM interacts with cytoplasmic components and linkers such as spectrin and growth associated protein-43.