Role of CNTN6 in neurodevelopment and neuropathology

Contactin 6 (CNTN6) is a recently discovered member of the contactins family, which belongs to a group of cell adhesion molecules. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the possible functions of CNTN6 in the organism and its manifestations in animal models and human diseases. Histological, cellular, and molecular studies in rodents have shown the involvement of this protein in neurite guidance, neural network development, and oligodendrocytogenesis. The expression levels in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and visual cortex of rodents vary depending on the period of neurodevelopment. Animal models with a deletion of the Cntn6 gene have shown impaired spatial orientation and memory patterns. In humans, copy number variation (CNV) analysis and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) found allele-phenotype relationship of this gene with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), Tourette syndrome (TS), schizophrenia (SCZ), anorexia, and other mental and neurodevelopmental diseases.