Required for synapse integrity and synaptic plasticity. During cerebellar synapse formation, essential for the matching and maintenance of pre- and post-synaptic elements at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses, the establishment of the proper pattern of climbing fiber-Purkinje cell innervation, and induction of long-term depression at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses. Plays a role as a synaptic organizer that acts bidirectionally on both pre- and post-synaptic components. On the one hand induces accumulation of synaptic vesicles in the pre-synaptic part by binding with NRXN1 and in other hand induces clustering of GRID2 and its associated proteins at the post-synaptic site through association of GRID2. NRXN1-CBLN1-GRID2 complex directly induces parallel fiber protrusions that encapsulate spines of Purkinje cells leading to accumulation of GRID2 and synaptic vesicles. Required for CBLN3 export from the endoplasmic reticulum and secretion (By similarity). NRXN1-CBLN1-GRID2 complex mediates the D-Serine-dependent long term depression signals and AMPA receptor endocytosis.
The cerebellin peptide exerts neuromodulatory functions. Directly stimulates norepinephrine release via the adenylate cyclase/PKA-dependent signaling pathway; and indirectly enhances adrenocortical secretion in vivo, through a paracrine mechanism involving medullary catecholamine release (By similarity).