Neurexin-Neuroligin 1 regulates synaptic morphology and functions via the WAVE regulatory complex in Drosophila neuromuscular junction

Neuroligins are postsynaptic adhesion molecules that are essential for postsynaptic specialization and synaptic function. But the underlying molecular mechanisms of neuroligin functions remain unclear. We found that Neuroligin 1 (DNlg1) regulates synaptic structure and function through WAVE regulato...

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Published in:eLife 2018-03, Vol.7
Main Authors: Xing, Guanglin, Li, Moyi, Sun, Yichen, Rui, Menglong, Zhuang, Yan, Lv, Huihui, Han, Junhai, Jia, Zhengping, Xie, Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Biology
F-actin
Neuroligin
Neuroscience
postsynaptic assembly
synapse
WAVE regulatory complex
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Summary:Neuroligins are postsynaptic adhesion molecules that are essential for postsynaptic specialization and synaptic function. But the underlying molecular mechanisms of neuroligin functions remain unclear. We found that Neuroligin 1 (DNlg1) regulates synaptic structure and function through WAVE regulatory complex (WRC)-mediated postsynaptic actin reorganization. The disruption of DNlg1, DNlg2, or their presynaptic partner neurexin (DNrx) led to a dramatic decrease in the amount of F-actin. Further study showed that DNlg1, but not DNlg2 or DNlg3, directly interacts with the WRC via its C-terminal interacting receptor sequence. That interaction is required to recruit WRC to the postsynaptic membrane to promote F-actin assembly. Furthermore, the interaction between DNlg1 and the WRC is essential for DNlg1 to rescue the morphological and electrophysiological defects in mutants. Our results reveal a novel mechanism by which the DNrx-DNlg1 trans-synaptic interaction coordinates structural and functional properties at the neuromuscular junction.
ISSN:2050-084X
2050-084X
DOI:10.7554/eLife.30457