IgLONs form heterodimeric complexes on forebrain neurons

IgLONs 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.