Semaphorin 5B mediates synapse elimination in hippocampal neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Semaphorins are known to play an important role in axon guidance and growth by triggering dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton in the neuronal growth cone. Intriguingly, some of these guidance molecules are persistently expressed after axonal pathfinding and target recognition are completed. Although their function at these later stages is poorly understood, recent findings suggest a role for these proteins in regulating synaptic connections.

Results

Here we demonstrate that semaphorin 5B (Sema5B) regulates the elimination of synaptic connections in cultured hippocampal neurons. We show that Sema5B is proteolytically processed in neonatal brains and primary hippocampal cultures, resulting in the secretion of Sema5B fragments that include the biological

SUBMITTER: O'Connor TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2696441 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature