title: Synaptic cell adhesion molecules.
abstract: During development of the nervous system following axon pathfinding, synaptic connections are established between neurons. Specific cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) accumulate at pre- and postsynaptic sites and trigger synaptic differentiation through interactions with intra- and extracellular scaffolds. These interactions are important to align pre- and postsynaptic transduction machineries and to couple the sites of cell-to-cell adhesion to the cytoskeleton and signaling complexes necessary to accumulate and recycle presynaptic vesicles, components of exo- and endocytic zones, and postsynaptic receptors. In mature brains, CAMs contribute to regulation of synaptic efficacy and plasticity, partially via direct interactions with postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors and presynaptic voltage-gated ion channels. This chapter is to highlight the major classes of synaptic CAMs, their multiple functions, and the multistage concerted interactions between different CAMs and other components of synapses.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. bukalool@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Olena
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bukalo
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dityatev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology*; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules