Involved in neural development, regulating the establishment of proper connectivity within the nervous system. May function as a cellular signal transducer (By similarity). Plays a role in the regulation of neuroplasticity in the limbic system. Mediates a rapid reorganization of actin- and tubulin-based cytoskeleton elements with an increase in dendritic arborization and spine density formation of neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala. Induces BDNF transcription inhibition in neurons. Activates the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase 2 (MEK2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. Acts also as a bioactive neuroprotective peptide on limbic neurons of the brain and regulates stress-induced behavior: attenuates alkalosis-associated necrotic cell death and the effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on c-fos/FOS induction and on the reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Induces gene transcription activation. Homodimer; disulfide-linked. Heterodimer with either TENM2 or TENM3. May also form heterodimer with TENM4. Ten-1 ICD interacts with SORBS1 (via third SH3 domain). Interacts with MBD1 isoform 2 (PubMed:15777793). Ten-1 ICD interacts with HINT1 (PubMed:31088288). Colocalizes with isoform 2 at the plasma membrane. Transported to the cell membrane and probably secreted to function as an autocrine or paracrine signaling molecule. The lack of a hydrophobic segment sequence suggests that isoform 2 is released by damaged cells or is secreted by a mechanism differing from that used for other secretory proteins. Colocalizes with isoform 1 at the plasma membrane. Colocalizes with the dystroglycan complex at the cell membrane in hippocampal cells. Binds hippocampal cell membranes and is incorporated in the cytoplasm by endocytosis in a caveoli-dependent manner. Upon cell internalization is transported arround and in the nucleus. Isoform 1 and isoform 2 are expressed in the brain. Isoform 2 is expressed in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal layer (Py) of the CA1, CA2 and CA3 of the hippocampus (at protein level). Expressed in the cortex, thalamus, CA1, CA2, CA3, dentate gyrus and granular layer of the hippocampus. Weakly expressed in kidney, testis and lung. Isoform 1 and isoform 2 are expressed in hippocampal cells at 14 dpc (at protein level). EGF-like domains 2 and 5 which have an odd number of cysteines might enable the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Cytoplasmic proline-rich regions could serve as docking domains for intracellular SH3-containing proteins. Once secreted, may also be cleaved to give rise to the TCAP-1 form. Derives from the plasma membrane form by proteolytic processing. Further proteolytic cleavage may generate 11.9 and 4.7 kDa bioactive peptides. Binds to the plasma membrane and may be internalized by a receptor- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis manner to reach cytosolic compartments in a dynamin-dependent manner. Belongs to the tenascin family. Teneurin subfamily.