Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
16
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-8-6
pubmed:databankReference
pubmed:abstractText
Synapse formation is a crucial step in the development of neuronal circuits and requires precise coordination of presynaptic and postsynaptic activities. However, molecular mechanisms that control the formation of functionally mature synaptic contacts, in particular between central neurons, remain poorly understood. To identify genes that are involved in the formation of central synapses, we made use of molluscan neurons that in culture form synaptic contacts between their somata (soma-soma synapses) in the absence of neurite outgrowth. Using single-cell mRNA differential display, we have identified a molluscan homolog of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) tumor suppressor gene encoding the transcription factor menin as a gene that is upregulated during synapse formation. In vitro antisense knock-down of MEN1 mRNA blocks the formation of mature synapses between different types of identified central neurons. Moreover, immunocytochemistry and cell-specific knock-down of MEN1 mRNA show that postsynaptic but not presynaptic expression is required for synapses to form. Together, our data demonstrate that menin is a synaptogenic factor that is critically involved in a general postsynaptic mechanism of synapse formation between central neurons.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1529-2401
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
21
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
RC161
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Blotting, Western, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Cells, Cultured, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Central Nervous System, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Cloning, Molecular, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Electrophysiology, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Gene Expression Profiling, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Genes, Tumor Suppressor, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Immunohistochemistry, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Lymnaea, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Molecular Sequence Data, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Neoplasm Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Neurons, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Oligonucleotides, Antisense, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Proto-Oncogene Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-RNA, Messenger, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Sequence Homology, Amino Acid, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Synapses, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Transcription Factors, pubmed-meshheading:11473132-Up-Regulation
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Synapse formation between central neurons requires postsynaptic expression of the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Research Institute Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. revankes@bio.vu.nl
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't