Structural basis for integration of GluD receptors within synaptic organizer complexes
Elegheert J., Kakegawa W., Clay JE., Shanks NF., Behiels E., Matsuda K., Kohda K., Miura E., Rossmann M., Mitakidis N., Motohashi J., Chang VT., Siebold C., Greger IH., Nakagawa T., Yuzaki M., Aricescu AR.
Transmitting signals across the synapse Glutamate receptors located on neuronal cells play a role in mediating electrical signals at excitatory synapses. These glutamatergic synapses are extremely important for nearly all cognitive functions. Elegheert et al. analyzed a complex that bridges the synapse, comprising β-neurexin 1, a cell adhesion molecule on the surface of presynaptic axons; cerebellin 1, a synaptic organizer; and the postsynaptic glutamate receptor GluD2. The structural and functional analysis provides insight into the mechanism of synaptic signaling. Science , this issue p. 295