Neuroligin 2 is exclusively localized to inhibitory synapses

Eur J Cell Biol. 2004 Sep;83(9):449-56. doi: 10.1078/0171-9335-00410.

Abstract

Neuroligins are cell adhesion proteins that are thought to instruct the formation and alignment of synaptic specializations. The three known rodent neuroligin isoforms share homologous extracellular acetylcholinesterase-like domains that bridge the synaptic cleft and bind beta-neurexins. All neuroligins have identical intracellular C-terminal motifs that bind to PDZ domains of various target proteins. Neuroligin 1 is specifically localized to glutamatergic postsynaptic specializations. We show here that neuroligin 2 is exclusively localized to inhibitory synapses in rat brain and dissociated neurons. In immature neurons, neuroligin 2 is found at synapses and also at GABAA receptor aggregates that are not facing presynaptic termini, indicating that postsynaptic mechanisms lead to synaptic recruitment of neuroligin 2. Our findings identify neuroligin 2 as a new cell adhesion protein specific for inhibitory synapses and open new avenues for identifiying the constituents of this unique type of postsynaptic specialization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Brain / physiology
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Rats
  • Synapses / genetics
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • neuroligin 2