Synaptogenesis.
Synaptogenesis is a process involving the formation of a neurotransmitter release site in the presynaptic neuron and a receptive field at the postsynaptic partners, and the precise alignment of pre- and post-synaptic specializations. In C. elegans synapses are found as en passant axonal swellings along the nerve processes. Genetic screens using a synaptic vesicle-associated GFP marker have identified key players in synaptic target recognition and organization of the presynaptic terminals. Importantly, the functions of most genes are evolutionarily conserved. Further studies using a combination of genetic modifier screens and reverse genetics have begun to reveal the underlying signaling pathways.
Jin
Yishi
Y
Department of Molecular, Cell and Development Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA. jin@biology.ucsc.edu
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*