Synaptic adhesion molecules

Synopsis The chemical synapse is a specialized asymmetric adhesion site between the axon of a neuron and its target cell. Synapse formation is a multi-step process involving target recognition followed by reciprocal inductive interactions that result in recruitment of proteins, such as receptors, and organelles, such as synaptic vesicles, to both the presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments. Synaptic cell adhesion molecules are believed to mediate initial inductive interactions, stabilize connections, and function as nucleation sites for signaling events that promote synapse development and regulate synaptic activity.