Astrocytes Assemble Thalamocortical Synapses by Bridging NRX1α and NL1 via Hevin.

ABSTRACT: Proper establishment of synapses is critical for constructing functional circuits. Interactions between presynaptic neurexins and postsynaptic neuroligins coordinate the formation of synaptic adhesions. An isoform code determines the direct interactions of neurexins and neuroligins across the synapse. However, whether extracellular linker proteins can expand such a code is unknown. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, we found that hevin, an astrocyte-secreted synaptogenic protein, assembles glutamatergic synapses by bridging neurexin-1alpha and neuroligin-1B, two isoforms that do not interact with each other. Bridging of neurexin-1alpha and neuroligin-1B via hevin is critical for the formation and plasticity of thalamocortical connections in the developing visual cortex

SUBMITTER: Singh SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4715262 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature