PCDHB12 Antibody

Background:

This gene is a member of the protocadherin beta genecluster, one of three related gene clusters tandemly linked onchromosome five. The gene clusters demonstrate an unusual genomicorganization similar to that of B-cell and T-cell receptor geneclusters. The beta cluster contains 16 genes and 3 pseudogenes,each encoding 6 extracellular cadherin domains and a cytoplasmictail that deviates from others in the cadherin superfamily. Theextracellular domains interact in a homophilic manner to specifydifferential cell-cell connections. Unlike the alpha and gammaclusters, the transcripts from these genes are made up of only onelarge exon, not sharing common 3' exons as expected. These neuralcadherin-like cell adhesion proteins are integral plasma membraneproteins. Their specific functions are unknown but they most likelyplay a critical role in the establishment and function of specificcell-cell neural connections.