Cell adhesion molecule that plays a role in neuronal self-avoidance. Promotes repulsion between specific neuronal processes of either the same cell or the same subtype of cells. Mediates within retinal amacrine and ganglion cell subtypes both isoneuronal self-avoidance for creating an orderly dendritic arborization and heteroneuronal self-avoidance to maintain the mosaic spacing between amacrine and ganglion cell bodies (PubMed:18216855, PubMed:19196994, PubMed:19945391). Receptor for netrin required for axon guidance independently of and in collaboration with the receptor DCC (PubMed:18585357). Might also collaborate with UNC5C in NTN1-mediated axon repulsion independently of DCC (PubMed:22685302). In spinal cord development plays a role in guiding commissural axons projection and pathfinding across the ventral midline to reach the floor plate upon ligand binding. Enhances netrin-induced phosphorylation of PAK1 and FYN. Mediates intracellular signaling by stimulating the activation of MAPK8 and MAP kinase p38. Adhesion molecule that promotes lamina-specific synaptic connections in the retina: expressed in specific subsets of interneurons and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and promotes synaptic connectivity via homophilic interactions (By similarity). Homodimer; mediates homophilic interactions to promote cell adhesion (By similarity). Interacts with DCC; the interaction is abolished in response to NTN1 (PubMed:18585357). Interacts (via extracellular domain) with NTN1 (PubMed:18585357). Probably found in a ternary complex composed of DSCAM, PAK1 and RAC1 (By similarity). The interaction with PAK1 is direct and enhanced in presence of RAC1 (PubMed:15169762). Interacts with RAC1; the interaction requires PAK1 (By similarity). Interacts (via cytoplasmic domain) with PAK1 (By similarity). Interacts (via extracellular domain) with UNC5C (via Ig-like C2-type domain) (PubMed:22685302). Interacts with PTK2 (PubMed:22685302). Interacts with FYN (PubMed:22685302). Localized in the soma, cell membrane, axon and growth cone of dissociated commissural axons. Expressed in cortical and cerebellar neurons, in cells of the external and internal granular layer and of the Purkinje cell layer (at protein level) (PubMed:22685302). In the retina, expressed in dopaminergic and Nos1-positive amacrine cells and most retinal ganglion cells (at protein level). Expressed in the brain with highest levels in the cortex, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Expressed in the retinal ganglion layer (RGL). Expressed in embryo at 11 dpc. Expressed in the spinal cord, including the motor columns, motor axons, dorsal root ganglions, commissural axons and ventral funiculus at 11.5 dpc (at protein level). Detected at 15 dpc in the cortex and cerebellum and at postnatal day 2 in the cerebellum (at protein level) (PubMed:22685302). Expressed in the retinal ganglion layer (RGL) at 12.5, 14.5 and 17 dpc. Expressed in hindbrain (cerebellar plate neurons), midbrain and forebrain at 10 dpc. Expressed in follicles of vibrissae and nasal processes at 12 dpc. Expressed in eyes at 14 dpc. Expressed in spinal cord, heart, liver, forelimb and hindlimb, buds at 14 dpc onwards. Ig-like C2-type domains 7 to 9 are sufficient for interaction with NTN1 and commissural axon outgrowth. The transmembrane domain is necessary for interaction with DCC. Phosphorylated at tyrosine residues (PubMed:22685302). Phosphorylation is enhanced by NTN1 (PubMed:22685302). The ganglion cell layer and developing inner plexiform layer in the retina are disorganised at postnatal day 4 (P4). This desorganisation persisted into adulthood in amacrine and ganglions cells. Amacrine and ganglion cell populations show fasciculated dendrites that self-crossed and their cell bodies are randomly distributed or pulled into clumps.