Protocadherin Alpha 7 (PCDHa7)

PCDHA7 is 1 of 15 tandemly arranged genes within the PCDHA gene cluster on chromosome 5q31. The 15 PCDHA genes function as 'variable' exons that are individually spliced to a downstream constant region to form distinct PCDHA transcripts.The clustered protocadherin-α (Pcdha) genes, which are expressed in the vertebrate brain, encode diverse membrane proteins whose functions are involved in axonal projection and in learning and memory. The Pcdha cluster consists of 14 tandemly arranged genes (Pcdha1–Pcdha12, Pcdhac1, and Pcdhac2, from 5′ to 3′). Each first exon (the variable exons) is transcribed from its own promoter, and spliced to the constant exons, which are common to all the Pcdha genes. Cerebellar Purkinje cells show dual expression patterns for Pcdha.