Lisé M-F, El-Husseini A
Department of Psychiatry and Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2006 Aug;63(16):1833-49. doi: 10.1007/s00018-006-6061-3.
Proper brain connectivity and neuronal transmission rely on the accurate assembly of neurotransmitter receptors, cell adhesion molecules and several other scaffolding and signaling proteins at synapses. Several new exciting findings point to an important role for the neuroligin family of adhesion molecules in synapse development and function. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the structure of neuroligins and neurexins, their potential binding partners at the synapse. We also discuss their potential involvement in several aspects of synapse development, including induction, specificity and stabilization. The implication of neuroligins in cognitive disorders such as autism and mental retardation is also discussed.
正常的大脑连接性和神经元传递依赖于神经递质受体、细胞粘附分子以及突触处的其他几种支架蛋白和信号蛋白的精确组装。一些新的令人兴奋的发现表明，粘附分子神经连接蛋白家族在突触发育和功能中起着重要作用。在这篇综述中，我们总结了目前关于神经连接蛋白和神经配蛋白的结构、它们在突触处潜在的结合伴侣的知识。我们还讨论了它们在突触发育的几个方面可能的参与情况，包括诱导、特异性和稳定性。此外，还讨论了神经连接蛋白在自闭症和智力迟钝等认知障碍中的意义。
