title: Target-derived matricryptins organize cerebellar synapse formation through α3β1 integrins.
abstract: Trans-synaptic organizing cues must be passed between synaptic partners for synapses to properly form. Much of our understanding of this process stems from studies at the neuromuscular junction, where target-derived growth factors, extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and matricryptins (proteolytically released fragments of ECM molecules) are all essential for the formation and maintenance of motor nerve terminals. While growth factors and ECM molecules also contribute to the formation of brain synapses, it remains unclear whether synaptic roles exist for matricryptins in the mammalian brain. We report that collagen XVIII and its matricryptin endostatin are generated by cerebellar Purkinje cells and are necessary for the organization of climbing fiber terminals in these neurons. Moreover, endostatin is sufficient to induce climbing fiber terminal formation in vitro by binding and signaling through α3β1 integrins. Taken together, these studies reveal roles for both matricryptins and integrins in the organization of brain synapses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Renee S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stenbjorn
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gorse
authors.forename: Kaiwen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Kurt F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricard-Blum
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pihlajaniemi
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D043170:Collagen Type XVIII / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043169:Endostatins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D043170:Collagen Type XVIII; D043169:Endostatins; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1