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A Matter of Balance: Role of Neurexin and Neuroligin at the Synapse

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Abstract

Neurexins and neuroligins are synaptic cell adhesion molecules. Neurexins are primary located on the presynaptic membrane, whereas neuroligins are strictly postsynaptic proteins. Since their discovery, the knowledge of neurexins and neuroligins has expanded, implicating them in various neuronal processes, including the differentiation, maturation, stabilization, and plasticity of both inhibitory and excitatory synapses. Here, we review the most recent results regarding the structure and function of these cell adhesion molecules.

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S. Owczarek thanks the Lundbeck Foundation for financial support.

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  1. The Protein Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3C, Building 24.2, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marie Louise Bang & Sylwia Owczarek

  2. Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Sylwia Owczarek

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Special Issue: In Honor of Elisabeth Bock.

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Bang, M.L., Owczarek, S. A Matter of Balance: Role of Neurexin and Neuroligin at the Synapse. Neurochem Res 38, 1174–1189 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-013-1029-9

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