Fasciclin II Signals New Synapse Formation through Amyloid Precursor Protein and the Scaffolding Protein dX11/Mint

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1144-05.2005
• Publication Date: 2005-06-23T17:03:05Z
• Authors: James Ashley; Mary Packard; Bulent Ataman; Vivian Budnik
• Keywords: PDZ domain; Postsynaptic density

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have been universally recognized for their essential roles during synapse remodeling. However, the downstream pathways activated by CAMs remained mostly unknown. Here, we used Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction to investigate Fasciclin II (FasII), a transmembrane CAM of Ig superfamily, We show that ability FasII stimulate or prevent formation depends on symmetry levels in presynaptic and postsynaptic cell requires presence fly homolog amyloid precursor protein (APPL). In turn, APPL is regulated direct interactions with PDZ (postsynaptic density-95/Discs large/zona occludens-1)-containing dX11/Mint/Lin-10, which also regulates expansion FasII. These results provide novel mechanism are fresh insights into normal operation APP development.