Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
Published on: July 20, 2022
Bridging the synaptic cleft: lessons from orphan glutamate receptors
Sabine M Schmid1, Michael Hollmann
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Scientists discovered how synapses are maintained during inactivity. A C1q protein family member, Cbln1, bridges the synaptic cleft by linking postsynaptic GluD2 receptors to presynaptic neurexin, ensuring proper alignment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neurons communicate via chemical synapses, with a 20nm synaptic cleft.',
- Neurotransmitter release and receptor detection facilitate signaling.',
- Synapse maintenance during inactivity remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of synapse maintenance in the absence of immediate signaling.',
- To identify molecular components involved in bridging the synaptic cleft during quiescent periods.
Main Methods:
- Investigated a specific synapse type in the cerebellum.',
- Focused on the interaction between ionotropic glutamate receptor GluD2, neurexin, and Cbln1.
Main Results:
- Identified a tripartite complex involving GluD2, Cbln1, and neurexin.',
- Cbln1, a C1q family protein, acts as a soluble factor bridging the pre- and postsynaptic sides.',
- This molecular trio ensures the alignment of pre- and postsynaptic structures.
Conclusions:
- The Cbln1-GluD2-neurexin complex maintains synaptic structure and alignment during periods of inactivity.',
- This mechanism highlights a novel strategy for synapse stabilization in the central nervous system.
More Related Videos
07:08Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration
Published on: July 31, 2013
09:49Combined Optogenetic and Freeze-fracture Replica Immunolabeling to Examine Input-specific Arrangement of Glutamate Receptors in the Mouse Amygdala
Published on: April 15, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Chemical Synapses
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...
Chemical Synapses
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...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters
Long-term Potentiation