background:
Gliomedin is a 551 amino acid protein encoded by the human gene GLDN. Gliomedin is thought to play a role in the formation of the nodes of Ranvier along myelinated axons. Accumulation of Na+ channels at the nodes of Ranvier is a prerequisite for saltatory conduction. In peripheral nerves, clustering of these channels along the axolemma is regulated by myelinating Schwann cells through an unknown mechanism. Gliomedin is a glial ligand for Neurofascin and NrCAM, two axonal immunoglobulin cell adhesion molecules that are associated with Na+ channels at the nodes of Ranvier. Gliomedin is expressed by myelinating Schwann cells and accumulates at the edges of each myelin segment during development, where it aligns with the forming nodes. Gliomedin is a single-pass type II membrane protein localized to the nodes of Ranvier and is specifically expressed in spinal cord, brain, placenta and sciatic nerve. It is more abundant in peripheral than central nervous system.
Function:
Gliomedin is a member of the collagen superfamily, it is a glial ligand for neurofascin and NrCAM, two axonal immunoglobulin cell adhesion molecules that are associated with Na+ channels at the nodes of Ranvier. Gliomedin provides a glial cue for the formation of peripheral nodes of Ranvier. Gliomedin is expressed by myelinating Schwann cells and accumulates at the edges of each myelin segment during development, where it aligns with the forming nodes of ranvier. Eliminating the expression of gliomedin or the addition of a soluble extracellular domain of neurofascin to myelinating cultures abolishes node formation. Gliomedin is expressed in the PNS nodes of ranvier, but not in the CNS nodes of ranvier. Gliomedin also displays high expression in murine and human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Its restricted expression in normal tissues and unique early upregulation during tumor development make it an excellent candidate as a new clinical marker of HCC.
Subunit:
Interacts with NFASC/neurofascin and NRCAM.
Subcellular Location:
Cell membrane; Single-pass type II membrane protein. Note=Localizes to the nodes of Ranvier.
Tissue Specificity:
Specifically expressed in spinal cord, brain, placenta and sciatic nerve. More abundant in peripheral than central nervous system.
Similarity:
Contains 2 collagen-like domains.
Contains 1 olfactomedin-like domain.
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 342035 Human
Entrez Gene: 235379 Mouse
Entrez Gene: 315675 Rat
Omim: 608603 Human
SwissProt: Q6ZMI3 Human
SwissProt: Q7Z359 Human
SwissProt: Q80ZC5 Mouse
SwissProt: Q8BMF8 Mouse
SwissProt: Q80WL1 Rat
Unigene: 526441 Human
Unigene: 123549 Mouse
Unigene: 38054 Rat
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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