title: Molecular motors and synaptic assembly.
abstract: Proper synaptic function requires the seamless integration of the transport, assembly, and regulation of synaptic components and structures. Inasmuch as the synapse is often distant from the neuronal cell body, newly synthesized synaptic proteins, the precursors of synaptic vesicles, active zone compartments, channels and receptors, and mitochondria, must be transported along lengthy neuronal processes to participate in synaptogenesis. Neuronal transport is mediated by motor proteins that associate with their cargoes via adaptors (or receptors) and that travel along the cytoskeleton network within the neuronal processes. Thus, the identity of membranous protein cargoes and the specificity of motor-cargo interactions are critical for correctly targeting cargoes and properly assembling synapses in developing neurons and in remodeling synapses of mature neurons in response to neuronal activity. In this article, the authors review recent progress in characterizing microtubule- and actin-based motor proteins that are involved in delivering synaptic components and discuss potential mechanisms underlying the formation of motor-receptor-cargo complexes that contribute to synaptogenesis and activity-induced synaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Zu-Hang
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Sheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008959:Models, Neurological; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D021381:Protein Transport; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins