Structural highlights
Evolutionary Conservation
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Publication Abstract from PubMed
The heterophilic synaptic adhesion molecules neuroligins and neurexins are essential for establishing and maintaining neuronal circuits by modulating the formation and maturation of synapses. The neuroligin-neurexin adhesion is Ca2+-dependent and regulated by alternative splicing. We report a structure of the complex at a resolution of 2.4 A between the mouse neuroligin-1 (NL1) cholinesterase-like domain and the mouse neurexin-1beta (NX1beta) LNS (laminin, neurexin and sex hormone-binding globulin-like) domain. The structure revealed a delicate neuroligin-neurexin assembly mediated by a hydrophilic, Ca2+-mediated and solvent-supplemented interface, rendering it capable of being modulated by alternative splicing and other regulatory factors. Thermodynamic data supported a mechanism wherein splicing site B of NL1 acts by modulating a salt bridge at the edge of the NL1-NX1beta interface. Mapping neuroligin mutations implicated in autism indicated that most such mutations are structurally destabilizing, supporting deficient neuroligin biosynthesis and processing as a common cause for this brain disorder.
Structural basis for synaptic adhesion mediated by neuroligin-neurexin interactions.,Chen X, Liu H, Shim AH, Focia PJ, He X Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2008 Jan;15(1):50-6. Epub 2007 Dec 16. PMID:18084303[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
See Also
References
- ↑ Chen X, Liu H, Shim AH, Focia PJ, He X. Structural basis for synaptic adhesion mediated by neuroligin-neurexin interactions. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2008 Jan;15(1):50-6. Epub 2007 Dec 16. PMID:18084303 doi:10.1038/nsmb1350