Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptogenesis

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

Many molecules have been described that stimulate or guide axons, but less is known about the molecules that cause axons to stop and form specialized synaptic contacts. This project focuses on a postsynaptic molecule, commissureless (comm), that has such a function and is required for synapse formation at the neuromuscular junction of Drosophila. The proposed experiments will determine whether comm works autonomously and whether it acts by regulating the endocytic resurfacing of postsynaptic cells. Since comm appears to be one of the major coordinators of neuromuscular junction, further characterization of its mechanism of action will enhance our knowledge of synaptogenesis.