The NRCAM (Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the NRCAM protein, a member of the L1CAM family of cell adhesion molecules. NRCAM plays critical roles in nervous system development, including neuronal migration, axon guidance, and synapse formation. Structurally, it contains immunoglobulin-like domains, fibronectin type III repeats, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail, enabling interactions with extracellular matrix components and intracellular signaling partners. Dysregulation of NRCAM has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia, as well as cancer metastasis.
NRCAM antibodies, typically monoclonal or polyclonal, are generated in hosts like rabbits or mice using immunogenic regions of the recombinant protein. These antibodies are widely applied in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to investigate NRCAM expression, localization, and function in biological samples. Their specificity is often validated using knockout controls or peptide-blocking assays. Research utilizing NRCAM antibodies has contributed to understanding neural circuit assembly, tumor microenvironment interactions, and potential therapeutic targets. However, performance may vary depending on epitope accessibility, post-translational modifications, and experimental conditions, necessitating rigorous validation for each application.