title: Synapse location during growth depends on glia location.
abstract: Synaptic contacts are largely established during embryogenesis and are then maintained during growth. To identify molecules involved in this process, we conducted a forward genetic screen in C. elegans and identified cima-1. In cima-1 mutants, synaptic contacts are correctly established during embryogenesis, but ectopic synapses emerge during postdevelopmental growth. cima-1 encodes a solute carrier in the SLC17 family of transporters that includes sialin, a protein that when mutated in humans results in neurological disorders. cima-1 does not function in neurons but rather functions in the nearby epidermal cells to correctly position glia during postlarval growth. Our findings indicate that CIMA-1 antagonizes the FGF receptor (FGFR), and does so most likely by inhibiting FGFR's role in epidermal-glia adhesion rather than signaling. Our data suggest that epidermal-glia crosstalk, in this case mediated by a transporter and the FGF receptor, is vital to preserve embryonically derived circuit architecture during postdevelopmental growth.
authors.affiliation: Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 9812, New Haven, CT 06536-0812, USA.
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Erik M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Colón-Ramos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D050609:Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses
chemical_list: C583726:CIMA-1 protein, C elegans; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C112493:EGL-15 protein, C elegans; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D050609:Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type I