A conserved juxtacrine signal regulates synaptic partner recognition in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An essential stage of neural development involves the assembly of neural circuits via formation of inter-neuronal connections. Early steps in neural circuit formation, including cell migration, axon guidance, and the localization of synaptic components, are well described. However, upon reaching their target region, most neurites still contact many potential partners. In order to assemble functional circuits, it is critical that within this group of cells, neurons identify and form connections only with their appropriate partners, a process we call synaptic partner recognition (SPR). To understand how SPR is mediated, we previously developed a genetically encoded fluorescent trans-synaptic marker called NLG-1 GRASP, which labels synaptic contacts between individual neuro

SUBMITTER: Park J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3130637 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature