IgLONs form heterodimeric complexes on forebrain neurons

AbstractIgLONs are a family of four GPI‐anchored cell adhesion molecules that regulate neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis and may act as tumour suppressor genes. Recently we have proposed that two members of the IgLON family act as a heterodimeric complex termed DIgLON. Neurons isolated from chick forebrain co‐express all six combinations of IgLONs and the intensity of fluorescence for each pair of IgLONs was highly correlated. Antibody‐patching experiments on forebrain neurons show complex formation for IgLON pairs but not between unrelated GPI‐anchored glycoproteins. Thus IgLONs are the first GPI‐anchored family of glycoproteins shown to form heterodimeric complexes in the plane of the membrane. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.