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Bidirectional modulation of synaptic functions by Eph/ephrin signaling

Nature Neuroscience volume 12, pages 15–20 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Ephrin ligands and their cognate Eph receptors guide axons during neural development and regulate synapse formation and neuronal plasticity in the adult. Because ephrins are tethered to the plasma membrane and possess reverse signaling properties, the Eph-ephrin system can function in a bidirectional, contact-mediated fashion between two opposing cells. Eph receptors expressed on dendrites are activated by ephrins (on axons or on astrocytes) and regulate spine and synapse formation. They also participate in activity-induced long-term changes in synaptic strength such as long-term potentiation (LTP). When expressed on axon terminals, ephrins promote presynaptic differentiation and enhance neurotransmitter release, thereby supporting presynaptic forms of LTP. In some cases, Eph receptors can simply act as ligands for ephrins without any requirement for Eph receptor signaling, suggesting that the system does not always function bidirectionally.

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Figure 1: Structural features of ephrins and Ephs and the concept of bidirectional signaling.
Figure 2: Eph forward signaling modulates spine and synapse formation.
Figure 3: EphrinB reverse signaling triggers spine and synapse formation.
Figure 4: Eph/ephrin signaling mediates long-term synaptic plasticity via different mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

I'd like to thank K. Deininger, S. Paixão and A. Filosa for critical reading of the manuscript, and R. Schorner and C. Erlacher for help with the figures.

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  1. Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Munich-Martinsried, Germany.

    Rüdiger Klein

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Correspondence to Rüdiger Klein.

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Klein, R. Bidirectional modulation of synaptic functions by Eph/ephrin signaling. Nat Neurosci 12, 15–20 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.2231

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