Synapse formation in the mammalian central nervous system

Abstract

Synapses are highly organized molecular complexes at which neurons communicate with each other in the brain. To form a functional synapse, hundreds of molecules need to be organized at the contact site between the axon and its target in the developing brain. Converging evidence now suggests that several families of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play important roles in differentiation, maturation, and maintenance of synapses. In this chapter, we will describe the structure of synapses, pre- and postsynaptic scaffolding molecules, steps of synapse formation, and synaptogenic molecules, including CAMs, in the mammalian central nervous system.