Contactin-5 (Cntn5) or neural recognition molecule NB-2 mediates cell surface interactions necessary for connectivity during nervous system development and synaptic maintenance during adulthood [, ]. Cntn5 contributes to the development of glutamatergic neurons in the rat auditory brainstem [, ].Contactins are cell adhesion molecules that belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily and are involved in neural development []. They usually consist of six N-terminal Ig domains, four fibronectin type III domains, and a C-terminal glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor to the extracellular part of the cell membrane [].
