Cadherins communicate structural plasticity of presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals.
Synapse adhesion molecules play a key role in specifying and facilitating the recognition of axodendritic contacts. New studies by and reported in this issue of Neuron reveal multiple functions for the cadherin-catenin complex. This adhesion complex regulates synaptogenesis and coordinates synaptic strength with presynaptic and postsynaptic organization, including the shape of dendritic spines.
Goda
Yukiko
Y
MRC Cell Biology Unit and Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, United Kingdom.
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin