Abstract
The C1q family is characterized by a C-terminal conserved global C1q domain, which is structurally very similar to the tumor necrosis factor homology domain. Although some C1q family members are expressed in the central nervous system, their functions have not been well characterized. Cbln1, a member of the Cbln subfamily of the C1q family, is predominantly expressed in cerebellar granule cells. Interestingly, Cbln1 was recently shown to play two unique roles at excitatory synapses formed between cerebellar granule cells and Purkinje cells: the formation and stabilization of synaptic contact, and the control of functional synaptic plasticity by regulating the postsynaptic endocytosis pathway. Since other Cbln subfamily members, Cbln2-Cbln4, are expressed in various regions of developing and mature brains, Cbln subfamily proteins may generally serve as a new class of transneuronal regulators of synapse development and synaptic plasticity in various brain regions.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1698-1705 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 Jun 1 |
Keywords
- Cerebellin
- Cerebellum
- Granule cell
- Purkinje cell
- Synapse formation
- Synaptic plasticity
- Tumor necrosis factor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Cell Biology