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Alternative splicing controls selective trans-synaptic interactions of the neuroligin-neurexin complex

Chih, B. and Gollan, L. and Scheiffele, P.. (2006) Alternative splicing controls selective trans-synaptic interactions of the neuroligin-neurexin complex. Neuron, Vol. 51, H. 2. pp. 171-178.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5259850

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Abstract

Formation of synapses requires specific cellular interactions that organize pre- and postsynaptic compartments. The neuroligin-neurexin complex mediates heterophilic adhesion and can trigger assembly of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses in cultured hippocampal neurons. Both neuroligins and neurexins are encoded by multiple genes. Alternative splicing generates large numbers of isoforms, which may engage in selective axo-dendritic interactions. We explored whether alternative splicing of the postsynaptic neuroligins modifies their activity toward glutamatergic and GABAergic axons. We find that small extracellular splice insertions restrict the function of neuroligin-1 and -2 to glutamatergic and GABAergic contacts and alter interaction with presynaptic neurexins. The neuroligin isoforms associated with GABAergic contacts bind to neurexin-1alpha and a subset of neurexin-1betas. In turn, these neurexin isoforms induce GABAergic but not glutamatergic postsynaptic differentiation. Our findings suggest that alternative splicing plays a central role in regulating selective extracellular interactions through the neuroligin-neurexin complex at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Biozentrum > Neurobiology > Cell Biology (Scheiffele)
UniBasel Contributors:Scheiffele, Peter
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Cell Press
ISSN:0896-6273
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Last Modified:22 Mar 2012 14:21
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 13:23

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