Transsynaptic Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery in Central Synapses by Cell Adhesion Molecules.

Neuronal activity and resultant synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), are accompanied by a dynamic regulation of the synaptic structure. At the same time, pre- and postsynaptic structures and functions are well coordinated at the individual synapse level. For example, large postsynaptic dendritic spines have a larger postsynaptic density with higher AMPA receptor number on their surface, while juxtaposing presynaptic terminals have a larger active zone and more docked vesicles. This indicates that structural modification seen in LTP and LTD must be coordinated at both pre- and postsynaptic structure, likely as a result of coordinated assembly of specific molecules on both sides of the synaptic cleft. Interestingly, there is evidence that the postsynaptic cell may be instructive to presynaptic functions. This review focuses on the postsynaptic mechanisms that retrogradely regulate presynaptic functionality and structure, emphasizing the role of neuronal adhesion molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]