Synapse Formation

Neuron

A cell that is a fundamental unit of the nervous system, characterized by compartments (dendrites, soma, axon) and specialized for communication.

Synapse

A specialized junction that allows neurons to communicate with each other and with other cell types.

Presynaptic Differentiation

The process in which the growth cone matures into a presynaptic terminal, acquiring molecular machinery for neurotransmitter handling.

Postsynaptic Differentiation

The maturation of the postsynaptic site involving the assembly of receptors and signaling molecules in response to incoming growth cones.

Agrin

A molecule secreted by motor neurons that induces clustering of acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.

AChR Clustering

The process by which acetylcholine receptors aggregate at the postsynaptic membrane in response to agrin.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical substances released from presynaptic terminals that transmit signals across a synapse.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP)

A signaling molecule involved in the pathway that mediates growth cone response during target recognition.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system, such as astrocytes and Schwann cells, that assist with synapse formation.

Neurotransmitter Release System

The molecular machinery present in growth cones for the release of neurotransmitters.

Rapsyn

An intracellular protein that anchors acetylcholine receptors to the postsynaptic membrane.

Synaptic Transmission

The process by which neurotransmitters are released from a presynaptic neuron and bind to receptors on a postsynaptic cell.

Calcium Signaling

A process involved in initiating presynaptic differentiation and target recognition by growth cones.

Neurexin-Neuroligin Interaction

A crucial interaction for synapse formation between presynaptically localized neurexins and postsynaptically localized neuroligins.

Synapse Elimination

The process of removing excess synapses, refining neuronal connections during development.

Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ)

A specialized synapse between motor neurons and muscle fibers, serving as a model for studying synapse formation.

Activity-Dependent Regulation

The influence of synaptic activity on the clustering and expression of neurotransmitter receptors.

Scaffolding Proteins

Proteins that organize the postsynaptic density and facilitate receptor clustering at synapses.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

The neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction for synaptic transmission.

Wnt-7a/Frizzled Signaling

A molecular interaction that promotes synapse formation in conjunction with other signals.