Neuroligin 3 (NLGN3) is a member of the type-B carboxylesterase/lipase family. Neuroligins (NLGNs) are a family of presumptive postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules. Neuroligins (NLs) constitute a family of cell-surface proteins that interact with neurexins (beta-Nxs), another class of neuronal cell-surface proteins, one of each class functioning together in synapse formation. Neuroligins control the formation and functional balance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in hippocampal neurons. NLGN1 and NLGN2 isoforms are concentrated at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses, respectively, but the cellular expression and synaptic localization of the endogenous. NLGN3 was enriched in brain, where NLGN3 protein levels increased during postnatal development, coinciding with the peak of synaptogenesis. The NLGN3 is a synaptic adhesion molecule that is a shared component of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. Mutations in NLGN3 gene may be associated with autism and Asperger syndrome.
