Synapses are specialized junctions between neurons in brain that transmit and compute information, thereby connecting neurons into millions of overlapping and interdigitated neural circuits. Here, we posit that the establishment, properties, and dynamics of synapses are governed by a molecular logic that is controlled by diverse trans-synaptic signaling molecules. Neurexins, expressed in thousands of alternatively spliced isoforms, are central components of this dynamic code. Presynaptic neurexins regulate synapse properties via differential binding to multifarious postsynaptic ligands, such as neuroligins, cerebellin/GluD complexes, and latrophilins, thereby shaping the input/output relations of their resident neural circuits. Mutations in genes encoding neurexins and their ligands are associated with diverse neuropsychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia, autism, and Tourette syndrome. Thus, neurexins nucleate an overall trans-synaptic signaling network that controls synapse properties, which thereby determines the precise responses of synapses to spike patterns in a neuron and circuit and which is vulnerable to impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders.

中文翻译：

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突触神经素复合物：神经回路逻辑的分子代码。

突触是大脑中神经元之间的专用连接，可以传输和计算信息，从而将神经元连接到数百万个重叠且相互交叉的神经回路中。在这里，我们假设突触的建立，性质和动力学受分子逻辑控制，该分子逻辑由不同的跨突触信号分子控制。在成千上万的可变剪接同工型中表达的神经毒素是该动态密码的核心组成部分。突触前神经毒素通过与多种突触后配体（例如神经胶蛋白，小脑/ GluD复合物和亲脂蛋白）的差异结合来调节突触特性，从而改变其驻留神经回路的输入/输出关系。编码神经毒素及其配体的基因突变与多种神经精神疾病有关，特别是精神分裂症，自闭症和图雷特综合症。因此，神经毒素使控制突触性质的整个跨突触信号网络成核，从而确定突触对神经元和回路中突波模式的精确反应，并且容易遭受神经精神疾病的损害。