Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Cell adhesion molecules in the cns.
| Content Provider | CiteSeerX |
|---|---|
| Author | Sakisaka, Toshiaki |
| Abstract | doi:10.1242/jcs.02672 Cell-cell adhesions are important for brain morphology and highly coordinated brain functions such as memory and learning (Sanes and Yamagata, 1999; Yamagata et al., 2003; Washbourne et al., 2004). During early development of the nervous system, neurons elongate their axons towards their targets and establish and maintain synapses through formation of cell-cell adhesions. Cell-cell adhesions also underpin axon-axon contacts and link neurons with supporting glial cells and oligodendrocytes. Here, we briefly summarize the key cell adhesion molecules involved in each case. Synapses Synapses are specialized intercellular junctions whose specificity and plasticity underpin the function of the nervous system. They can be subdivided into synaptic junctions (SJs) and puncta adherentia junctions (PAJs) (Peters et al., 1976). SJs are associated with presynaptic active zones, containing Ca 2+ channels and numerous neurotransmitter-filled synaptic vesicles, and postsynaptic densities where neurotransmitter receptors localize. PAJs, by contrast, have symmetrical paramembranous dense material that lacks associated synaptic vesicles (Peters et al., 1976; Spacek and Lieberman, 1974). SJs are regarded as sites for neurotransmission, and their remodeling is thought to be a principal mechanism of memory and learning. PAJs are regarded as mechanical adhesion sites between axon terminals and their targets, although their exact functions remain unknown. N-cadherin is a Ca 2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule and belongs to the type I cadherin family. It has five extracellular cadherin repeat (EC) domains (EC1 to EC5) and a conserved His-Ala-Val (HAV) cell adhesion recognition sequence in the EC1 |
| File Format | |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Cell-cell Adhesion Cell Adhesion Molecule Nervous System Intercellular Junction Presynaptic Active Zone Puncta Adherentia Junction Key Cell Adhesion Molecule Early Development Mechanical Adhesion Site Numerous Neurotransmitter-filled Synaptic Vesicle Glial Cell Principal Mechanism Neurotransmitter Receptor Dependent Cell-cell Adhesion Molecule Extracellular Cadherin Repeat Postsynaptic Density Synaptic Vesicle Synaptic Junction Cell Adhesion Recognition Sequence Exact Function Brain Morphology Axon-axon Contact Symmetrical Paramembranous Dense Material Synapsis Synapsis Coordinated Brain Function Axon Terminal |
| Content Type | Text |
