A neural cell adhesion molecule–derived fibroblast growth factor receptor agonist, the FGL-peptide, promotes early postnatal sensorimotor development and enhances social memory retention

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) belongs to the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily and is composed extracellularly of five Ig-like and two fibronectin type III (F3) modules. It plays a pivotal role in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. NCAM signals via a direct interaction with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR). A 15-amino-acid long peptide, the FG loop (FGL) peptide, that is derived from the second F3 module of NCAM has been found to activate FGFR1. We here report that the FGL peptide, when administered intranasally to newborn rats, accelerated early postnatal development of coordination skills. In adult animals s.c. administration of FGL resulted in a prolonged retention of social memory. We found that FGL rapidly penetrated into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid after both intranasal and s.c. administration and remained detectable in the fluids for up to 5 hours.