Astrotactin 1 (ASTN1)

Astrotactin (Astn1) is a glycoprotein expressed on migrating neurons that favors adhesion to glia and migration. It is involved in regulation of adhesion during the radial migration of neurons in the developing CNS.Astrotactin is a neuronal adhesion molecule required for glial-guided migration of young postmitotic neuroblasts in cortical regions of developing brain, including cerebrum, hippocampus, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb.

Fink et al. (1995) used mouse astrotactin cDNA to identify the gene locus in mouse and human. they mapped the human ASTN gene to chromosome 1q25 and the homologous mouse gene to chromosome 1H2. These map locations show extensive homology of synteny. This gene is a candidate for a neuronal migration defect in both species.