title: Missed connections: photoreceptor axon seeks target neuron for synaptogenesis.
abstract: Extending axons must choose the appropriate synaptic target cells in order to assemble functional neural circuitry. The axons of the Drosophila color-sensitive photoreceptors R7 and R8 project as a single fascicle from each ommatidium, but their terminals are segregated into distinct layers within their target region. Recent studies have begun to reveal the molecular mechanisms that establish this projection pattern. Both homophilic adhesion molecules and specific ligand-receptor interactions make important contributions to stabilizing R7 and R8 terminals in the appropriate target layers. These cell recognition molecules are regulated by the same transcription factors that control R7 and R8 cell fates. Autocrine and repulsive signaling mechanisms prevent photoreceptor terminals from encroaching on their neighbors, preserving the spatial resolution of visual information.
authors.affiliation: Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Astigarraga
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hofmeyer
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Treisman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors