Astrotactin
Astrotactin (pronounced as: as-tro-tac-tin) is a type of protein that plays a significant role in the neuronal migration during the development of the nervous system.
Etymology
The term "Astrotactin" is derived from the Greek words "astro" meaning star and "tactin" meaning arranged in order. This is in reference to the star-like shape of the astrocytes, a type of glial cell, that the protein is associated with.
Function
Astrotactin is a neuronal cell adhesion molecule that is involved in the glia-guided migration of young neurons during the development of the nervous system. It is believed to mediate the binding of migrating neurons to the glial fibers that guide them.
Related Terms
- Neuronal migration: The process by which neurons move from their birthplace to their final position in the brain.
- Astrocytes: Star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord.
- Glial cell: Non-neuronal cells that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons in the brain and peripheral nervous system.
- Protein: Large biomolecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues.
- Cell adhesion molecule: Molecules that enable cells to bind to each other and to extracellular matrix.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Astrotactin
- Wikipedia's article - Astrotactin
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