STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY OF CADHERINS IN THE NERVOUS-SYSTEM

The complex functions of the nervous system reflect the coordinated ac tion of intricately connected networks of neurons. Recent work has com bined to suggest the importance of the cadherin family of cell adhesio n molecules in specifying these connections at neural synapses. High-r esolution structural studies and site-directed mutagenesis have reveal ed some of the molecular mechanisms by which cadherins function in cel l-to-cell adhesion, and suggest new avenues for investigation.