Recombinant Human Contactin 3/CNTN3 Protein (708 Asp/Asn, His Tag)

Contactins are a subgroup of molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that are expressed exclusively in the nervous system. The subgroup consists of six members: Contactin-1; Contactin-2(TAG-1); Contactin-3(BIG-1); BIG-2; Contactin-5(NB-2) and NB-3. Since their identification in the late 1980s; Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 have been studied extensively. Axonal expression and the neurite extension activity of Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 attracted researchers to study the function of these molecules in axon guidance during development. Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 have come to be known as the principal molecules in the function and maintenance of myelinated neurons. In contrast; the function of the other four members of this subgroup remained unknown until recently. Contactin-3; also known as CNTN3 ( BIG-1 in rat and PANG in mouse ); is a GPI-linked glycoprotein that is expressed on cerebellar Purkinje cells; amygdaloid and thalamic neurons and olfactory granule cells. In the brain; Contactin-3 is expressed in frontal lobe; occipital lobe; cerebellum and amygdala. Contactin-3 contains 4 fibronectin type-III domains and 6 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domains. Human Contactin-3 shares 92% aa identity with mouse Contactin-3.The exact function of Contactin-3 is unclear. Contactin-3 may mediate cell-cell interaction and may promote neurite outgrowth.