title: An SCF-like ubiquitin ligase complex that controls presynaptic differentiation.
abstract: During synapse formation, specialized subcellular structures develop at synaptic junctions in a tightly regulated fashion. Cross-signalling initiated by ephrins, Wnts and transforming growth factor-beta family members between presynaptic and postsynaptic termini are proposed to govern synapse formation. It is not well understood how multiple signals are integrated and regulated by developing synaptic termini to control synaptic differentiation. Here we report the identification of FSN-1, a novel F-box protein that is required in presynaptic neurons for the restriction and/or maturation of synapses in Caenorhabditis elegans. Many F-box proteins are target recognition subunits of SCF (Skp, Cullin, F-box) ubiquitin-ligase complexes. fsn-1 functions in the same pathway as rpm-1, a gene encoding a large protein with RING finger domains. FSN-1 physically associates with RPM-1 and the C. elegans homologues of SKP1 and Cullin to form a new type of SCF complex at presynaptic periactive zones. We provide evidence that T10H9.2, which encodes the C. elegans receptor tyrosine kinase ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), may be a target or a downstream effector through which FSN-1 stabilizes synapse formation. This neuron-specific, SCF-like complex therefore provides a localized signal to attenuate presynaptic differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5.
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhen
mesh_terms: D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D044783:F-Box Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011485:Protein Binding; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D044843:SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013569:Synapses / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D044783:F-Box Proteins; C530278:FSN-1 protein, C elegans; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C409634:RPM-1 protein, C elegans; D044843:SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases