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Free keywords:
Presynapse; Intracellular trafficking; Kinesin; Dynein; Signaling pathways; Synaptogenesis; Autophagy
Abstract:
Targeted intracellular movement of presynaptic proteins plays important roles during
synapse formation and, later, in the homeostatic maintenance of mature synapses.
Movement of these proteins, often as vesicular packages, is mediated by motor
complexes travelling along intracellular cytoskeletal networks. Presynaptic protein
transport by kinesin motors in particular plays important roles during synaptogenesis
to bring newly synthesized proteins to establish nascent synaptic sites. Conversely,
movement of proteins away from presynaptic sites by Dynein motors enables synapsenuclear
signaling and allows for synaptic renewal through degradation of unwanted or
damaged proteins. Remarkably, recent data has indicated that synaptic and protein
trafficking machineries can modulate each other’s functions. Here, we survey the
mechanisms involved in moving presynaptic components to and away from synapses
and how this process supports presynaptic function.
