How It’s Made: The Synapse

Schematic of synaptogenic trans-synaptic adhesion molecules and their key downstream interactions. Homophilic trans-synaptic interactors are shown in pink. Heterophilic trans-synaptic synapse inducers are shown in light purple (postsynaptic) and green (presynaptic). Within the presynaptic terminal, demonstrated protein-protein interactions are shown with solid lines. For proteins highlighted in yellow, knockout mice or knockdown in mammals exhibit either no synaptogenesis phenotype or only mild changes in synapse structure. α-Liprin is highlighted in dark blue because, although it has been shown to be important for synapse formation in C. elegans and Drosophila (106–110), it has not yet been tested for presynaptic terminal formation in mammals. RIM, Rab3-Interacting Molecule; GIT, G protein–coupled receptor kinase-interactor-1; CASK, calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine kinase.