Emerging Synaptic Molecules as Candidates in the Etiology of Neurological Disorders

Neural Plast. 2017:2017:8081758. doi: 10.1155/2017/8081758. Epub 2017 Feb 26.

Abstract

Synapses are complex structures that allow communication between neurons in the central nervous system. Studies conducted in vertebrate and invertebrate models have contributed to the knowledge of the function of synaptic proteins. The functional synapse requires numerous protein complexes with specialized functions that are regulated in space and time to allow synaptic plasticity. However, their interplay during neuronal development, learning, and memory is poorly understood. Accumulating evidence links synapse proteins to neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we describe the way in which several proteins that participate in cell adhesion, scaffolding, exocytosis, and neurotransmitter reception from presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments, mainly from excitatory synapses, have been associated with several synaptopathies, and we relate their functions to the disease phenotype.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Plasticity*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glutamate / metabolism
  • SNARE Proteins / metabolism
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Transmission
  • Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • SNARE Proteins