Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
08:30
Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
Published on: September 17, 2011
Matching of pre- and postsynaptic specializations during synaptogenesis.
Barbara Lardi-Studler1, Jean-Marc Fritschy
1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. fritschy@pharma.unizh.ch
Summary
Synapse formation relies on molecular matching, not initial neurotransmitter signaling. Active neurotransmission is crucial for maintaining synapses throughout adulthood, highlighting differences between development and adult plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Synapse formation requires precise molecular organization in the central nervous system.
- Specialized postsynaptic densities (PSDs) must align with presynaptic active zones.
- Mechanisms for synapse-specific molecular targeting are critical for neural circuit development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of cell adhesion molecules in synaptogenesis.
- To explore mechanisms ensuring correct pre- and postsynaptic matching.
- To discuss the distinct roles of neurotransmitter receptors and scaffolding proteins in synapse formation versus maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent in vitro and in vivo studies.
- Analysis of molecular sorting and targeting mechanisms.
- Focus on cell adhesion molecules, neurotransmitter receptors, and scaffolding proteins.
Main Results:
- Neurotransmitter signaling is not essential for initial synapse formation.
- Active neurotransmission is vital for long-term synapse maintenance.
- Distinct processes govern synapse development and adult plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Cell adhesion molecules play a key role in guiding synaptogenesis.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for neural circuit development and function.
- Differences exist between developmental synapse formation and adult synapse maintenance/plasticity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Integration of Synaptic Events
Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
01:32Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)
Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
02:47The Synapse
Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
01:26Chemical Synapses
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
01:26Chemical Synapses
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
01:25Overview of Synapses
A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...