Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Specificity

Precise connectivity in neuronal circuits is a prerequisite for proper brain function. The dauntingly complex environment encountered by axons and dendrites, even after navigation to their target area, prompts the question of how specificity of synaptic connections arises during development. We review developmental strategies and molecular mechanisms that are used by neurons to ensure their precise matching of pre- and postsynaptic elements. The...