Cadherins communicate structural plasticity of presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals

Abstract

Synapse adhesion molecules play a key role in specifying and facilitating the recognition of axodendritic contacts. New studies by and reported in this issue of Neuron reveal multiple functions for the cadherin-catenin complex. This adhesion complex regulates synaptogenesis and coordinates synaptic strength with presynaptic and postsynaptic organization, including the shape of dendritic spines.