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Summary: Cell Adhesion, the Backbone of the Synapse:
"Vertebrate" and "Invertebrate" Perspectives
Nikolaos Giagtzoglou1
, Cindy V. Ly2
, and Hugo J. Bellen1,2,3,4
1
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
2
Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
3
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
4
Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
Correspondence: giagtzog@bcm.tmc.edu, hbellen@bcm.tmc.edu
Synapses are asymmetric intercellular junctions that mediate neuronal communication. The
number, type, and connectivity patterns of synapses determine the formation, maintenance,
and function of neural circuitries. The complexity and specificity of synaptogenesis relies
upon modulation of adhesive properties, which regulate contact initiation, synapse for-
mation, maturation, and functional plasticity. Disruption of adhesion may result in structural
and functional imbalance that may lead to neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism,
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