Assembly of the N-cadherin complex during synapse formation involves uncoupling of p120-catenin and association with presenilin 1.
N-cadherin is an adhesion receptor that participates in both interaction between immature pre- and postsynaptic neurons and in the stabilization and function of matured neuron-neuron synapses. To better understand how the N-cadherin complex contributes to synapse formation, we examined its distribution and composition during synapse formation in the chick ciliary neurons. It was found that at early phases of synaptogenesis, N-cadherin is distributed in small clusters on the cell surface and primarily associates with p120-catenin and beta-catenin. In contrast, as synaptic contacts matured, larger N-cadherin clusters were found localized adjacent to the active zone and associated with PS1 and gamma-catenin, while p120- and beta-catenin were dispersed among other cell regions, including axons. As it is known that PS1 binds gamma-catenin and that uncoupled p120-catenin can alter the cytoskeleton via its effect on Rho GTPases, these changes in the molecular composition of the N-cadherin complex (represented by the uncoupling of p120-catenin and association with PS1) may correspond to distinct functional states of the complex involved in synaptic maturation.
Rubio
Maria E
ME
Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, The University of Connecticut, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Curcio
Christine
C
Chauvet
Norbert
N
Brusés
Juan L
JL
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D006224:Cricetinae; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051180:Desmoplakins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D053764:Presenilin-1; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin; D000095002:Delta Catenin
D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051180:Desmoplakins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D053764:Presenilin-1; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D000095002:Delta Catenin