Neuroligin 2 is exclusively localized to inhibitory synapses

F Varoqueaux, S Jamain, N Brose - European journal of cell biology, 2004 - Elsevier
F Varoqueaux, S Jamain, N Brose
European journal of cell biology, 2004Elsevier
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 β-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 …
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 β-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.
Elsevier