Synapses are basic units of neuronal circuits and mediate the information transfer between neurons and brain regions. Multitudes of diverse synapse sub-types assemble into functional circuits during nervous system development. Bi-directional trans-synaptic signaling is postulated to guide the formation of nascent synapses and their functional specification and diversification. However, the central mechanisms underlying synapse formation and synapse assembly into circuits remain unknown. The fundamental question we are interested in here is how the synapse is formed, and the signal transduction pathways involved.
In this Research Topic, we aim to understand the signaling mechanisms during synapse formation. Although much work has been done to identify molecules related with synapse formation, little is known about mechanisms. The roles of molecules related with synapse formation are mostly identified by loss of function experiments, especially during presynaptic organization and postsynaptic specifications, respectively. Multiple signaling pathways can be involved from cell adhesion molecules to synapse assembly, such as the GPCR signaling pathway. In addition, most of the time, the phenotype happens at the excitatory synapses but rarely at inhibitory synapses. Moreover, because most of the spines are excitatory synapses, it is easier to apply imaging tools to visualize them. Thus, the difference between the excitatory and inhibitory synapses formation process is also included.
Therefore, we would be interested in research related to synapse assembly’s signaling transduction pathway. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
1. Cell adhesion molecules that build up the synapse.
2. The signaling pathway during the synapse formation.
3. How do the changes of synapse assembly affect the synaptic functions.
4. Imaging progress about the dynamic changes in synapse formation.
5. How synapses are assembled into functional local circuits
6. Assembly differences between the excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
7. Review of literature on the relative topics
Synapses are basic units of neuronal circuits and mediate the information transfer between neurons and brain regions. Multitudes of diverse synapse sub-types assemble into functional circuits during nervous system development. Bi-directional trans-synaptic signaling is postulated to guide the formation of nascent synapses and their functional specification and diversification. However, the central mechanisms underlying synapse formation and synapse assembly into circuits remain unknown. The fundamental question we are interested in here is how the synapse is formed, and the signal transduction pathways involved.
In this Research Topic, we aim to understand the signaling mechanisms during synapse formation. Although much work has been done to identify molecules related with synapse formation, little is known about mechanisms. The roles of molecules related with synapse formation are mostly identified by loss of function experiments, especially during presynaptic organization and postsynaptic specifications, respectively. Multiple signaling pathways can be involved from cell adhesion molecules to synapse assembly, such as the GPCR signaling pathway. In addition, most of the time, the phenotype happens at the excitatory synapses but rarely at inhibitory synapses. Moreover, because most of the spines are excitatory synapses, it is easier to apply imaging tools to visualize them. Thus, the difference between the excitatory and inhibitory synapses formation process is also included.
Therefore, we would be interested in research related to synapse assembly’s signaling transduction pathway. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
1. Cell adhesion molecules that build up the synapse.
2. The signaling pathway during the synapse formation.
3. How do the changes of synapse assembly affect the synaptic functions.
4. Imaging progress about the dynamic changes in synapse formation.
5. How synapses are assembled into functional local circuits
6. Assembly differences between the excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
7. Review of literature on the relative topics