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Fig. 2 | Neural Development

Fig. 2

From: Synapse development and maturation at the drosophila neuromuscular junction

Fig. 2

Overview of bouton growth and synaptic maturation. Addition of boutons is initiated by membrane outgrowth (a), followed by size expansion (b). (Top) Within minutes, AZ precursors are formed as early components such as Syd-1 and Liprin-α accumulate. (Bottom) Immunostaining of type I NMJ marked with α-Dlg for post synaptic SSR and α-HRP for presynaptic area. Immature boutons lacking postsynaptic structure (ghost boutons) are indicated (Ci). Maturation occurs as remaining components of the pre- and postsynaptic specializations are recruited, including GluRIIA-type receptors (Cii); Brp, Cac, and SVs (Ciii); and GluRIIB-type receptors (Civ). Inset (c′) shows bidirectional trans-synaptic pathways that are known to be important for synaptic development. Major pathways include both canonical and non-canonical Wnt and BMP signaling, while pathways mediated by Syt4, LAR, FMR1, Jeb, and MTG have also been described. The FGF pathway has also been reported, but pathways details, e.g. directionality, have not been defined

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