Molecular Mechanisms for neuronal interactions during synapse formation

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We have studied several mutants showing that the olfactory receptor neurons exhibit abnormal axonal projection or synaptic targeting in the first olfactory processing center in the brain. Among these, we have concentrated our attention on the mutants of Wnt5, Drl and Drl-2. All these molecules constitute Wnt5 signaling, each expressed in a distinct pattern, and regulate the distribution of glomeruli in the olfactory center. Notably, both Drl and Drl-2 can play opposing roles in Wnt5 signaling, depending on the cells where they are expressed. These findings suggest a new mechanism for Wnt5 signaling in the development of neural circuits.