TY - JOUR
T1 - Cell adhesion, the backbone of the synapse
T2 - "vertebrate" and "invertebrate" perspectives.
AU - Giagtzoglou, Nikolaos
AU - Ly, Cindy V.
AU - Bellen, Hugo J.
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - Synapses are asymmetric intercellular junctions that mediate neuronal communication. The number, type, and connectivity patterns of synapses determine the formation, maintenance, and function of neural circuitries. The complexity and specificity of synaptogenesis relies upon modulation of adhesive properties, which regulate contact initiation, synapse formation, maturation, and functional plasticity. Disruption of adhesion may result in structural and functional imbalance that may lead to neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism, or neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, understanding the roles of different adhesion protein families in synapse formation is crucial for unraveling the biology of neuronal circuit formation, as well as the pathogenesis of some brain disorders. The present review summarizes some of the knowledge that has been acquired in vertebrate and invertebrate genetic model organisms.
AB - Synapses are asymmetric intercellular junctions that mediate neuronal communication. The number, type, and connectivity patterns of synapses determine the formation, maintenance, and function of neural circuitries. The complexity and specificity of synaptogenesis relies upon modulation of adhesive properties, which regulate contact initiation, synapse formation, maturation, and functional plasticity. Disruption of adhesion may result in structural and functional imbalance that may lead to neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism, or neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, understanding the roles of different adhesion protein families in synapse formation is crucial for unraveling the biology of neuronal circuit formation, as well as the pathogenesis of some brain disorders. The present review summarizes some of the knowledge that has been acquired in vertebrate and invertebrate genetic model organisms.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951610387&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1101/cshperspect.a003079
DO - 10.1101/cshperspect.a003079
M3 - Review article
C2 - 20066100
AN - SCOPUS:77951610387
SN - 1943-0264
VL - 1
SP - a003079
JO - Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology
JF - Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology
IS - 4
ER -