Synapse formation: astrocytes spout off.
Trillions of synapses form as the brain develops. This intimate contact between two neurons has now been shown to be facilitated by thrombospondins - large extracellular matrix proteins secreted by astrocytes.
Ehlers
Michael D
MD
Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. ehlers@neuro.duke.edu
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D019699:Thrombospondins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D019699:Thrombospondins