Identification and dynamics of molecules involved in selective synapse formation

突触是一种特殊的连接，神经元通过它向彼此以及肌肉等其他目标细胞发出信号，对神经系统的功能至关重要。神经元选择并与特定的目标细胞突触。这种“突触专一性”是神经系统正常运作的基础。在这项研究中，我们使用了高度复杂的果蝇遗传学来揭示一种新的机制，神经元通过这种机制找到并识别它们的目标细胞。我们还成功地可视化了发育中的胚胎中突触形成的过程，并阐明了发生在完整有机体中的突触形成的分子机制。

Synapses are specialized junctions through which neurons signal to each other and to other target cells such as muscles and are crucial to the functioning of the nervous system. Neurons select and synapse with specific target cells. This "synaptic specificity" underlies the proper functioning of the nervous system. In this study, we used highly sophisticated Drosophila genetics to reveal a novel mechanism by which neurons find and recognize their target cells. We also succeeded in visualizing the process of synapse formation in developing embryos and elucidated a molecular mechanism of synapse formation that occurs in an intact organism.