Trans-synaptic coupling of phosphorylation signalling for central synapse development

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Normal brain function relies on the transfer of excitatory or inhibitory substances called neurotransmitters between neurons at specialized adhesion structures called synapses. Excitatory synapses are structurally asymmetric with neurotransmitter released from one side (the presynaptic side) and received at the other (the postsynaptic side), enabling uni-directional information communication. The development of such asymmetric synapses requires adhesion between the two sides of the synapse followed by differential but coordinated accumulation of proteins on either side. Many proteins are needed to drive this pre- and post-synaptic specialization. In particular, several proteins that can modify other proteins through a process called phosphorylation are present on one side or the other of the developing synapse. In order to coordinate synapse assembly, the actions of the pre- and post-synaptic proteins involved in phosphorylation must be linked across the synaptic cleft. Here we propose to develop a new research program to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying structural and functional asymmetry of excitatory synapses by investigating trans-synaptically-coupled phosphorylation pathways.