title: Nip and tuck at the neuromuscular junction: a role for proteases in developmental synapse elimination.
abstract: During late embryonic and early postnatal development, synaptic connections are extensively modified so that some functional connections are weakened and eliminated from a neural circuit while others are strengthened and maintained. The mechanisms that underlie synapse elimination are beginning to be understood from studies of the neuromuscular junction. A recent paper provides some intriguing insights into the role proteases may play in the developmental disassembly of neuromuscular synapses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6074, USA.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Balice-Gordon
mesh_terms: D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D013917:Thrombin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D010450:Endopeptidases; D013917:Thrombin