Plasticity and dynamics of central synapses in mouse ES cell derived neurons and cortical neurons [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Adriana Stan

Plasticity and dynamics of central synapses in mouse ES cell-derived neurons and cortical neuronsInaugural-DissertationzurErlangung des Doktorgrades derMathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultätder Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorfvorgelegt vonAdriana Stanaus BukarestOktober 2008Aus dem Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Gedruckt mit der Genehmigung der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Referent: Prof. Dr. K. Gottmann Koreferent: Prof. Dr. C. Rose Tag der mündlichen Prüfung:AbstractDuring brain development, formation and functional maturation of synapses between neurons are highly coordinated processes that ensure the correct wiring and functioning of neuronal networks. The accumulation of neurotransmitter-filled vesicles at presynaptic release sites is a decisive step in the formation and early functional maturation of central glutamatergic synapses. Trans-synaptic signaling through cell adhesion molecules has been proposed to regulate vesicle clustering at active zones, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. In this study, the role of the cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin in synapse formation and maturation was addressed. Specific deletion of the N-cadherin gene in mice leads to early embryonic lethality around day 10 of gestation before the brain forms.