Delta-catenin at the synaptic-adherens junction.
Delta-catenin belongs to the p120-catenin (p120(ctn)) protein family, which is characterized by ten, characteristically spaced Armadillo repeats that bind to the juxtamembrane segment of the classical cadherins. Delta-catenin is the only member of this family that is expressed specifically in neurons, where it binds to PDZ domain proteins in the post-synaptic compartment. As a component of both adherens and synaptic junctions, delta-catenin can link the adherens junction to the synapse and, thereby, coordinate synaptic input with changes in the adherens junction. By virtue of its restriction to the post-synaptic area, delta-catenin creates an asymmetric adherens junction in the region of the synapse. The crucial nature of the specialized function of delta-catenin in neurons is demonstrated by a targeted gene mutation, which causes deficits in learning and in synaptic plasticity. Taken together, recent evidence indicates that delta-catenin is a sensor of synaptic activity and implements activity-related morphological changes at the synapse.
Kosik
Kenneth S
KS
Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. kosik@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Donahue
Christine P
CP
Israely
Inbal
I
Liu
Xin
X
Ochiishi
Tomoyo
T
D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D051186:Armadillo Domain Proteins; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D000095002:Delta Catenin
D051186:Armadillo Domain Proteins; D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C033652:postsynaptic density proteins; D000095002:Delta Catenin