Switch #: SWTI000488

Switch type: Binary

Switch subtype: Pre-translational

Description:
Alternative splicing removes the endocytosis motif of Neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM), abrogating binding to AP-2 complex subunit mu (AP2M1). This motif is required for sorting of L1CAM to the axonal growth cone of neurons and its clathrin-mediated internalisation. Non-neuronal cells, such as Schwann cells, do not require these motifs, probably because these cells are not highly polarised.

Participants:
(1) Neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM)
(2) AP-2 complex subunit mu (AP2M1)

(1) A neuronal form of the cell adhesion molecule L1 contains a tyrosine-based signal required for sorting to the axonal growth cone.
Kamiguchi et al. J. Neurosci. (1998)

(2) L1 endocytosis is controlled by a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle stimulated by outside-in signaling by L1.
Schaefer et al. J. Cell Biol. (2002)