Trans-synaptic interaction of GluRdelta2 and Neurexin through Cbln1 mediates synapse formation in the cerebellum

T. Uemura, S. J. Lee, M. Yasumura, T. Takeuchi, T. Yoshida, M. Ra, R. Taguchi, K. Sakimura, M. Mishina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Elucidation of molecular mechanisms that regulate synapse formation is required for the understanding of neural wiring, higher brain functions, and mental disorders. Despite the wealth of in vitro information, fundamental questions about how glutamatergic synapses are formed in the mammalian brain remain unanswered. Glutamate receptor (GluR) δ2 is essential for cerebellar synapse formation in vivo. Here, we show that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of GluRδ2 interacts with presynaptic neurexins (NRXNs) through cerebellin 1 precursor protein (Cbln1). The synaptogenic activity of GluRδ2 is abolished in cerebellar primary cultures from Cbln1 knockout mice and is restored by recombinant Cbln1. Knockdown of NRXNs in cerebellar granule cells also hinders the synaptogenic activity of GluRδ2. Both the NTD of GluRδ2 and the extracellular domain of NRXN1β suppressed the synaptogenic activity of Cbln1 in cerebellar primary cultures and in vivo. These results suggest that GluRδ2 mediates cerebellar synapse formation by interacting with presynaptic NRXNs through Cbln1.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1068-1079
Number of pages12
JournalCell
Volume141
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2010

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Trans-synaptic interaction of GluRdelta2 and Neurexin through Cbln1 mediates synapse formation in the cerebellum'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this