FIGURE 1.

Illustration of the mechanisms of TCAP release and its molecular targets in a generalized neuron. TCAP may be liberated by either autoproteolytic cleavage from the C-terminus of the teneurin or by translation of a short mRNA from the free ribosomes. Soluble TCAP binds to the hormone-binding domain (HBD) of latrophilin-1 or-3 leading to combination with the dystroglycan complex where it stimulates a MEK-ERK phosphorylation response to regulate cytoskeleton organization and microtubule assembly. Further, TCAP binding to latrophilin may lead to Gα_s activation to stimulate cAMP and PKA targeting vesicular release. A major action of TCAP appears to act via Gα_q to elicit activation of the PLC-IP3 signal cascade to induce changes in cytosolic Ca²⁺ by acting on various Ca²⁺ channels to target mitochondrial function. This image was created using BioRender.