CELL-ADHESION MOLECULES AND SIGNAL-TRANSDUCTION

Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) play key roles in the fundamental processes of growth and development, particularly in the nervous system. This review focuses on the evidence implicating the cadherin, integrin and immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules in various signal transduction pathways. In addition to modulating cell adhesion and migration, CAMs also serve to directly regulate the response to growth and differentiation factors. This review focuses on the role of CAMs and their signal transduction pathways, where known, in several developmentally regulated processes in the nervous system such as the induction of neural tissue, neuroblast migration, axon growth and guidance, and myelination.