Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Sci. STKE, 16 October 2007
Vol. 2007, Issue 408, p. pe56
[DOI: 10.1126/stke.4082007pe56]

PERSPECTIVES

Receptors Look Outward: Revealing Signals That Bring Excitation to Synapses

Kimberly Gerrow and Alaa El-Husseini*

Department of Psychiatry, Brain Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3 Canada.

Abstract: Defining the molecular mechanisms that govern the trafficking of glutamate receptors to excitatory synaptic contacts is fundamental to understanding the mechanisms that regulate synapse maturation and neuronal excitability. Previous studies have identified several scaffolding molecules and adaptor proteins that regulate glutamate receptor trafficking and retention at the synapse. Recent work, however, has elucidated new players such as the N-cadherin adhesion complex, and members of the pentraxin family that regulate clustering of glutamate receptors through extracellular protein interactions. Here, we highlight recently identified modes that regulate glutamate receptor clustering, and discuss their relevance to synapse maturation.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: alaa{at}interchange.ubc.ca

Citation: K. Gerrow, A. El-Husseini, Receptors Look Outward: Revealing Signals That Bring Excitation to Synapses. Sci. STKE 2007, pe56 (2007).

Read the Full Text

To Advertise     Find Products

Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (online), 1945-0877 (print). Pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882