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.
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
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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*