Adhesion molecules in synapse assembly and function

Abstract

As the nervous system develops, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) interact across the synaptic junction to govern synapse assembly and function. The CAM interactions are highly dependent on the molecular composition of the extracellular domains, of which there is a large variety, and on the intracellular domains, which provide a structural and signaling platform for the pre- and the postsynaptic terminals. The diversity of CAMs generates a myriad of potential extracellular interactions, yet CAM binding is highly specific and gives rise to unique adhesive codes that guide synapse assembly and tune the efficacy of synaptic communication. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of some of the major synaptic CAMs, highlighting their structural features that contribute to the specificity and promiscuity of CAM interactions, and to discuss how these mechanisms intersect to control synapse formation, organization, and plasticity.