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The Synapse

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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Characterization of Fusogenic Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Oligonucleotide Delivery

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Characterization of Fusogenic Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Oligonucleotide Delivery

Published on: April 16, 2019

The fusogenic synapse at a glance.

Ji Hoon Kim¹, Elizabeth H Chen^2,3

¹Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

Journal of Cell Science

|September 19, 2019

Summary

Cell-cell fusion involves complex steps, including asymmetric actin rearrangements at the fusogenic synapse. This process, modeled in Drosophila, is crucial for metazoan development and physiology.

Keywords:

Actin cytoskeleton Cell–cell fusion Fusogenic synapse Invasive protrusion Mechanical force Mechanosensory response Myoblast fusion Podosome

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Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Characterization of Fusogenic Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Oligonucleotide Delivery

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Published on: April 16, 2019

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Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Cell-cell fusion is essential for fertilization, development, regeneration, and physiology in metazoans.
It involves sequential steps: recognition, adhesion, cytoskeletal changes, fusogen engagement, and pore formation.
The fusogenic synapse, characterized by asymmetric actin rearrangements, is key to this process.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the molecular, cellular, and biophysical events occurring at the asymmetric fusogenic synapse.
To use Drosophila myoblast fusion as a model system to understand these events.
To elucidate the role of actin dynamics and mechanical forces in cell fusion.

Main Methods:

Focus on asymmetric actin cytoskeletal rearrangements at the fusogenic synapse.
Utilize Drosophila myoblast fusion as a model system.
Analyze molecular, cellular, and biophysical events.

Main Results:

Asymmetric actin rearrangements at the fusogenic synapse are critical for cell fusion.
Actin-propelled membrane protrusions from one cell trigger mechanosensory responses in the other.
Mechanical tension at the fusogenic synapse promotes fusogen engagement and fusion pore formation.

Conclusions:

The asymmetric fusogenic synapse is a highly dynamic structure essential for cell fusion.
Actin dynamics and mechanical forces play coordinated roles in mediating cell fusion.
Understanding these events in Drosophila provides insights into fundamental biological processes.