title: Selecting synaptic partners: GRASPing the role of UNC-6/netrin.
abstract: Forming synaptic connections of the appropriate strength between specific neurons is crucial for constructing neural circuits to control behavior. A recent paper in Neural Development describes the use of a synapse-specific label in Caenorhabditis elegans to implicate local UNC-6/netrin signaling in this developmental process. Thus, as well as their well known roles in cell migration and axon guidance, UNC-6/netrin signals distinguish an appropriate synaptic partner from other potential targets.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK. queelim@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: QueeLim
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ch'ng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D000075385:Netrins
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000075385:Netrins; C078146:UNC-6 protein, C elegans; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins