title: Cadherins and catenins at synapses: roles in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
abstract: Synapse formation involves reciprocal interactions between cells resulting in formation of a structure optimized for efficient information transfer. Recent work has implicated constituents of the cadherin-catenin cell-adhesion complex in both synapse formation and plasticity. In this review, we describe recent interesting discoveries on mechanisms of cadherin complex function, in addition to regulating adhesion, that are relevant for understanding the role of this complex in synaptogenesis and plasticity. We describe how this complex acts via (i) recruitment/stabilization of intracellular partners; (ii) regulation of intracellular signaling pathways; (iii) regulation of cadherin surface levels, stability and turnover; (iv) stabilization of receptors; and (v) regulation of gene expression. These exciting discoveries provide insights into novel functional roles of the complex beyond regulating cell adhesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of California San Francisco, Rock Hall, Room 284A, Mission Bay, 1550 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2611, USA.
authors.forename: Jyothi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arikkath
authors.forename: Louis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Reichardt
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D051177:Catenins / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins