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Publication Abstract from PubMed

To create a functional neural circuit, neurons develop a molecular identity to discriminate self from non-self. The invertebrate Dscam family and vertebrate Pcdh family are implicated in determining synaptic specificity. Recently identified in Chelicerata, a shortened Dscam (sDscam) has been shown to resemble the isoform-generating characters of both Dscam and Pcdh and represent an evolutionary transition. Here we presented the molecular details of sDscam self-recognition via both trans and cis interactions using X-ray crystallographic data and functional assays. Based on our results, we proposed a molecular zipper model for the assemblies of sDscam to mediate cell-cell recognition. In this model, sDscam utilized FNIII domain to form side-by-side interactions with neighboring molecules in the same cell while established hand-in-hand interactions via Ig1 domain with molecules from another cell around. Together, our study provided a framework for understanding the assembly, recognition, and evolution of sDscam.

Structural basis for the self-recognition of sDSCAM in Chelicerata.,Cheng J, Yu Y, Wang X, Zheng X, Liu T, Hu D, Jin Y, Lai Y, Fu TM, Chen Q Nat Commun. 2023 May 2;14(1):2522. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38205-1. PMID:37130844^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.