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1: Cell. 2007 Apr 6;129(1):179-93.
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Distinct target-derived signals organize formation, maturation, and maintenance of motor nerve terminals.

Fox MA, Sanes JR, Borza DB, Eswarakumar VP, Fässler R, Hudson BG, John SW, Ninomiya Y, Pedchenko V, Pfaff SL, Rheault MN, Sado Y, Segal Y, Werle MJ, Umemori H.

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Target-derived factors organize synaptogenesis by promoting differentiation of nerve terminals at synaptic sites. Several candidate organizing molecules have been identified based on their bioactivities in vitro, but little is known about their roles in vivo. Here, we show that three sets of organizers act sequentially to pattern motor nerve terminals: FGFs, beta2 laminins, and collagen alpha(IV) chains. FGFs of the 7/10/22 subfamily and broadly distributed collagen IV chains (alpha1/2) promote clustering of synaptic vesicles as nerve terminals form. beta2 laminins concentrated at synaptic sites are dispensable for embryonic development of nerve terminals but are required for their postnatal maturation. Synapse-specific collagen IV chains (alpha3-6) accumulate only after synapses are mature and are required for synaptic maintenance. Thus, multiple target-derived signals permit discrete control of the formation, maturation, and maintenance of presynaptic specializations.

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PMID: 17418794 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]