Human NRCAM homologs                                 Homology   Phylogeny   Motifs

Pan troglodytes (Chimpanzee)
neuronal cell adhesion molecule
Gene accession number: NM_001034162.1  E-value: 0.0
Protein accession number: NP_001029334.1  E-value: 0.0


Mus musculus (Mouse)
neuron-glia-CAM-related cell adhesion molecule 
Gene accession number: NM_176930.3  E-value: 0.0
Protein accession number: NP_795904.2  E-value: 9xe^-86


Rattus norvegicus (Rat)
neuronal cell adhesion molecule
Gene accession number: NM_013150.1  E-value: 0.0
Protein accession number: NP_037282.1  E-value: 2xe^-42


Caenorhibditis elegans (Worm)
L1 CAM adhesion molecule homolog
Gene accession number: NM_001028325.1  E-value: cannot be determined
Protein accession number: NP_001023496.1   E-value: cannot be determined



Drosophila melanogatser (Fruitfly)
neuroglian
Gene accession number: NM_078535.2  E-value: cannot be determined
Protein accession number: NP_511090.1   E-value: 7xe^-47


Gallus gallus (Chicken)
neuronal cell adhesion molecule
Gene accession number: NM_205266.1  E-value: 0.27
Protein accession number: NP_990597.1  E-value: 3xe^-96


Bos taurus (Cow)
neuronal cell adhesion molecule (Predicted) 
Gene accession number: XM_614286.3  E-value: 0.33   
Protein accession number: XP_614286.2  E-value: 0.0

Analysis

There are a large number of homologs for the NRCAM gene as found using HomoloGene.  Some are very similar based on e-values which determine the level of homology using predictions from an evolutionary standpoint.  Pan troglodytes, Mus musculus, and Rattus norvegicus appear to be most similar to Homo sapiens, while Gallus gallus and Bos taurus most dissimilar based on e-values.   In addition to the homologs in the list provided, there are another 8-10 species that have genes homologous to NRCAM that will be added to this list throughout the remainder of the semester.

I find it very interesting that such a wide variety of species have homologs to the NRCAM gene, and given its implications in brain and nervous system development, I would guess that it plays a critical role in these processes.  This provides good support for the targeting of NRCAM as a candidate gene for autism research.  The high level of conservation, and seemingly primitive nature of NRCAM is good evidence that it might play an important role in developmental pathways and possibly some higher order cognitive functions that are deficient in individuals with autism.