Title :
Cbln1 is essential for synaptic integrity and plasticity in the cerebellum
Abstract :
- Cbln1 is a cerebellum-specific protein of previously unknown function that is structurally related to the C1q and tumor necrosis factor families of proteins
- We show that Cbln1 is a glycoprotein secreted from cerebellar granule cells that is essential for three processes in cerebellar Purkinje cells: the matching and maintenance of pre- and postsynaptic elements at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses, the establishment of the proper pattern of climbing fiber-Purkinje cell innervation, and induction of long-term depression at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses
- Notably, the phenotype of cbln1-null mice mimics loss-of-function mutations in the orphan glutamate receptor , GluR delta2 , a gene selectively expressed in Purkinje neurons
- Therefore, Cbln1 secreted from presynaptic granule cells may be a component of a transneuronal signaling pathway that controls synaptic structure and plasticity