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Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Osmotic Avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans: Synaptic Function of Two Genes, Orthologues of Human NRXN1 and NLGN1, as Candidates for Autism
Published on: December 11, 2009
Cysteine-rich domain isoforms of the neuregulin-1 gene are required for maintenance of peripheral synapses
D Wolpowitz1, T B Mason, P Dietrich
1Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Abstract:
Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) signaling has been implicated in inductive interactions between pre- and postsynaptic partners during synaptogenesis. We used gene targeting to selectively disrupt cysteine-rich domain-(CRD-) containing NRG-1 isoforms. In CRD-NRG-1-/-mice, peripheral projections defasciculated and displayed aberrant branching patterns within their targets. Motor nerve terminals were transiently associated with broad bands of postsynaptic ACh receptor (AChR) clusters. Initially, Schwann cell precursors accompanied peripheral projections, but later, Schwann cells were absent from axons in the periphery. Following initial stages of synapse formation, sensory and motor nerves withdrew and degenerated. Our data demonstrate the essential role of CRD-NRG-1-mediated signaling for coordinating nerve, target, and Schwann cell interactions in the normal maintenance of peripheral synapses, and ultimately in the survival of CRD-NRG-1-expressing neurons.
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