CDON

Cell adhesion molecule-related/down-regulated by oncogenes (CDON) is a conserved transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to a subgroup of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. It is highly expressed in both the somites and dorsal lips of the neural tube of embryonic day 8.5 mice. It is expressed in proliferating and differentiating myoblast cell lines, there is evidence showing its role in mediating the effects of cell–cell interactions between muscle precursors that are critical in myogenesis. It is also expressed in neural crest precursor cells, it regulates the localization of N-cadherin providing a mechanism for directed neural crest migration. CDON protein was shown to bind to all three mammalian isoforms of hedgehog proteins: Sonic Hh, Indian Hh, and Desert Hh. == Clinical significance ==

CDON mutations are thought to diminish sonic hedgehog (SHH)-pathway activity which is important in stimulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue patterning at multiple points in animal development. CDON was shown to play a role in differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons through the interference with of Shh signaling pathway. Mutations in CDON gene has been associated with Holoprosencephaly which is structural anomaly of the brain, in which the developing forebrain fails to correctly separate into right and left hemispheres. CDON mutations synergistically interact with prenatal alcohol exposure to increase susceptibility to Holoprosencephaly. == Gene knockdown studies ==

CDON knockdown using morpholinos in zebra fish altered the eye development, CDON was shown important in restraining the size of the optic stalk and ventral retina in chick embryos. CDON−/− animals also show cardiac dysfunction with increased fibrosis, those cardiac effects are mediated through hyperactivation of WNT/β-catenin signaling. == Interactions ==

CDON has been shown to interact with CDH1 and BOC. == References ==