ASTN1
Description
The ASTN1 (astrotactin 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
Astrotactin-1, abbreviated ASTN1, is a glycoprotein primarily expressed in the central nervous system. ASTN1, along with its counterpart ASTN2, regulates adhesion during the radial migration of neurons in the developing CNS. Astrotactin, a neuronal adhesion molecule, is necessary for glial-guided migration of young postmitotic neuroblasts. Its expression is primarily located in the cortical regions of the developing brain, including the cerebrum, hippocampus, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb.
Biochemical Properties ASTN-1 is created through developmental pathways via mRNA. The astrotactin-1 protein is generated from Chromosome 1: 176,861,067-177,164,712 and the Gencode Gene: ENSG00000152092.16, with a base pair size of 303,646 and a total Exon count of 23. It is composed of 1294 amino acids on average, with variations of 1302, 1228, and 1216 depending on an individual‘s genetic composition. Astrotactin-1 is highly conserved, with mutations being quite rare, with only 2 deletions and a single duplication recorded within a sample of 64,114 subjects. ASTN1 features a relatively short amino terminus coupled with a longer carboxyl terminus within the extracellular matrix of their environment, which may aid in the protein‘s function of movement.
ASTN1 is considered a multi-pass membrane protein responsible for neuronal migrations in cortical regions of the brain. These migrations are guided by a system of radial glial fibers. This process begins with gene signaling during fetal development and lasts until brain maturation, around the age of 26.
Neural Action In 1991, Gord Fishell and Mary E. Hatten used in vitro assays to determine the role of Astrotactin-1 in the neuronal migration of granule neurons. This mechanism of action appears to be ASTN1 providing the neural receptor for migration in astro-glial membranes via its transmembrane regions to intersect glial membranes.
Astrotactin-1 is a neuronal adhesion molecule that plays a crucial role in the migration of young neurons along glial fibers, particularly in the cerebellum. It is essential for the proper rate of granule cell migration during brain development and for the normal development of the cerebellum.
ASTN1 is also known as ASTN.
