New insights into the diversity and function of neuronal immunoglobulin superfamily molecules

Immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins are implicated in diverse steps of brain development, including neuronal migration, axon pathfinding, target recognition and synapse formation, as well as in the maintenance and function of neuronal networks in the adult. We provide here a review of recent findings on the diversity and the role of transmembrane and secreted members of IgSF proteins in the nervous system. We illustrate that the complexity of IgSF protein function results from various different levels of regulation including regulation of gene expression, protein localization, and protein interactions.