Laminin builds up neuromuscular synapses

sea-maid submitted, created time 3 months 3 weeks (esciencenews.com)

Like a plug and a socket, a nerve and a muscle fiber mesh at the neuromuscular junction. New work by Nishimune et al published in the Journal of Cell Biology reveals that an extracellular matrix protein called laminin shapes both...

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The Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 mediates EphB receptor-dependent dendritic spine development

Cindy submitted, created time 1 year 8 months (www.pnas.org)

Dendritic spines are small, actin-rich protrusions on the surface of dendrites that receive the majority of excitatory synaptic inputs in the brain. However, the mechanism by which Ephs regulate actin cytoskeletal remodeling necessary for spine development is not fully understood. Here, they report that the Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 interacts with the EphB2 receptor in a kinase-dependent manner.

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Surprising synapses deep in the brain

fiona submitted, created time 1 year 9 months (www.nature.com)

Activity-dependent vesicular glutamate release from axon collaterals triggers AMPA-type currents in the precursors. This phenomenon might be involved in regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation or remyelination

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