The roles of cadherins and nectins in interneuronal synapse formation.
Cadherins are Ca(2+)-dependent intercellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) and they play key roles in the intercellular junctions of a wide variety of cells, including interneuronal synapses. Nectins are Ca(2+)-independent immunoglobulin-like CAMs and they are also involved in the organization of various types of intercellular junctions, including interneuronal synapses, either in cooperation with or independently of cadherins. Intercellular adhesion through nectins induces activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins, leading to a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, gene expression, and cell polarization.
Takai
Yoshimi
Y
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Suita 565-0871, Japan. ytakai@molbio.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Shimizu
Kazuya
K
Ohtsuka
Toshihisa
T
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology*; D000075983:Nectins; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000075983:Nectins