The limbic system-associated membrane protein (LAMP) is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed by cortical and subcortical regions of the mammalian CNS that comprise or receive direct projections from limbic system structures. The 64-68-kDa glycoprotein limbic system-associated membrane protein (LsAMP) is expressed on the surface of somata and proximal dendrites of neurons. These areas perform cognitive and autonomic functions, also learning and memory. The functional analysis indicates that LsAMP acts as a selective adhesion molecule, serving as a guidance cue for specific patterns of connectivity, which underlies the normal development of the limbic system. In animal studies there have been found that rats with increased level of anxiety had 1.6-fold higher expression of LsAMP gene in the periaqueductal gray compared to rats with low level of anxiety, indicating a possible role of LsAMP in the regulation of anxiety.
