The diverse roles of complex glycans in synapse development and function
Hong Lu1, Lexia Bao1, Peng Zhang2
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|May 11, 2025
Summary
Complex glycans are vital for brain function, influencing synapse formation and plasticity. This review explores their roles and proposes models to understand glycan function at synapses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Glycobiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Protein glycosylation is a crucial post-translational modification impacting diverse biological processes.
- Synapse formation and plasticity are essential for neuronal circuit function and brain activity.
- The specific roles of complex glycans at synapses are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the roles of complex glycans in synapse formation and function.
- To propose a framework for understanding glycan involvement in synaptic processes.
- To stimulate discussion on the conceptual basis of glycan function at synapses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on complex glycans and synaptic function.
- Analysis and categorization of examples based on proposed functional models.
- Synthesis of current knowledge to identify gaps and future research directions.
Main Results:
- Complex glycans are present in the synaptic microenvironment and influence synaptic development.
- Specific examples illustrate the involvement of complex glycans in synapse formation and plasticity.
- Three principal models are proposed to categorize the diverse roles of glycans at synapses.
Conclusions:
- Complex glycans play significant, yet underappreciated, roles in synaptic formation and function.
- The proposed models offer a structured approach to understanding glycan-synapse interactions.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which glycans modulate synaptic activity.
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