title: Cbln and C1q family proteins: new transneuronal cytokines.
abstract: The C1q family is characterized by a C-terminal conserved global C1q domain, which is structurally very similar to the tumor necrosis factor homology domain. Although some C1q family members are expressed in the central nervous system, their functions have not been well characterized. Cbln1, a member of the Cbln subfamily of the C1q family, is predominantly expressed in cerebellar granule cells. Interestingly, Cbln1 was recently shown to play two unique roles at excitatory synapses formed between cerebellar granule cells and Purkinje cells: the formation and stabilization of synaptic contact, and the control of functional synaptic plasticity by regulating the postsynaptic endocytosis pathway. Since other Cbln subfamily members, Cbln2-Cbln4, are expressed in various regions of developing and mature brains, Cbln subfamily proteins may generally serve as a new class of transneuronal regulators of synapse development and synaptic plasticity in various brain regions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurophysiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. myuzaki@a5.keio.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yuzaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009474:Neurons; D010802:Phylogeny; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D015922:Complement C1q