NRXN3
NRXN3 (neurexin 3, also known as KIAA0743 or C14orf60) is a neuronal cell surface protein of the neurexin family that acts as a receptor and cell adhesion molecule in the nervous system. It forms part of a trans-synaptic complex that regulates glutamate receptor activity. Browse Assay Genie's current range of NRXN3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
NRXN3 is a neuronal cell surface protein that may be involved in cell recognition and cell adhesion, and it may also mediate intracellular signalling. At the synapse it functions as part of a trans-synaptic complex, binding to cerebellins on one side and to postsynaptic GRID1 on the other. The NRXN3B-CBLN2-GRID1 complex transduces presynaptic signals into a postsynaptic AMPA receptor response. This interaction helps regulate the activity of NMDA and AMPA receptors at hippocampal synapses without affecting synapse formation.
The NRXN3 gene belongs to the neurexin family, a group of proteins that function in the nervous system as receptors and cell adhesion molecules. The protein is localised to the presynaptic cell membrane. Extensive alternative splicing and the use of alternative promoters give rise to multiple transcript variants and protein isoforms, although the full-length nature of many of these variants has not been determined. Transcripts from an upstream promoter encode alpha isoforms, which contain epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) sequences and laminin G domains. Transcripts from the downstream promoter encode beta isoforms, which lack the EGF-like sequences. The UniProt entry described here corresponds to the beta form, neurexin-3-beta.
The gene was previously designated chromosome 14 open reading frame 60 (C14orf60), and KIAA0743 is a further alias. Genetic variation at this locus has been associated with a range of behavioural phenotypes, including alcohol dependence and autism spectrum disorder, which makes the NRXN3 protein a subject of interest in synaptic and neurodevelopmental research. Related family members include NRXN1 and NRXN2.
NRXN3 forms a trans-synaptic complex with cerebellins and GRID1 that regulates NMDA and AMPA receptor activity at hippocampal synapses.
As a neuronal cell surface protein, NRXN3 may contribute to cell recognition and adhesion in the nervous system.
Genetic variation at the NRXN3 locus has been associated with autism spectrum disorder, making it relevant to studies of neurodevelopment.
Variation at the NRXN3 locus has been linked to alcohol dependence and other behavioural phenotypes, supporting research on the neurobiology of behaviour.
NRXN3 is a presynaptic cell surface protein that may be involved in cell recognition, adhesion and intracellular signalling. It binds cerebellins and postsynaptic GRID1 in a trans-synaptic complex, helping regulate NMDA and AMPA receptor activity at hippocampal synapses without affecting synapse formation.
NRXN3 (neurexin 3) is also known as KIAA0743 and C14orf60, and the UniProt entry is named neurexin-3-beta. Alternative promoters produce alpha isoforms, with EGF-like sequences and laminin G domains, and beta isoforms, which lack the EGF-like sequences.
Mouse and rat both have an Nrxn3 ortholog. In humans, genetic variation at the NRXN3 locus has been associated with behavioural phenotypes, including alcohol dependence and autism spectrum disorder. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other neurexin family members involved in synaptic adhesion and signalling.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9HDB5; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.