Background of the antigen
Neuroligins are a family of plasma membrane proteins that possess an N-terminal hydrophobic domain, a large esterase homology domain, a single transmembrane region, a short cytoplasmic domain, and an EF-hand binding domain (1,2). Members of the neuroligin family include Neuroligin 1, Neuroligin 2 and Neuroligin 3. Neuroligins are expressed in excitatory neuronal synaptic clefts. Neuroligins play a role in the formation and remodeling of CNS synapses by binding to b-neurexins, a family of neuronal cell surface proteins. Neuroexin 1b binds to the EF-hand domain of Neuroligin 1 and requires calcium ion. Neuroligins also bind to PSD-95, which may recruit ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors to the synapses.
