Synapses are specialized contact sites that mediate information flow between neurons and their targets. Important physical interactions across the synapse are mediated by synaptic adhesion molecules. These adhesions regulate formation of synapses during development and play a role during mature synaptic function. Importantly, genes regulating synaptogenesis and axon regeneration are conserved across the animal phyla. Genetic screens in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have identified a number of molecules required for synapse patterning and assembly. C. elegans is able to survive even with its neuronal function severely compromised. This is in comparison with Drosophila and mice where increased complexity makes them less tolerant to impaired function. Although this fact may reflect differences in the function of the homologous proteins in the synapses between these organisms, the most likely interpretation is that many of these components are equally important, but not absolutely essential, for synaptic transmission to support the relatively undemanding life style of laboratory maintained C. elegans. Here, we review research on the major group of synaptic proteins, involved in the presynaptic machinery in C. elegans, showing a strong conservation between higher organisms and highlight how C. elegans can be used as an informative tool for dissecting synaptic components, based on a simple nervous system organization.

中文翻译：

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秀丽隐杆线虫突触前的突触前机器。

突触是专门的接触部位，介导神经元与其靶标之间的信息流。突触中重要的物理相互作用是由突触粘附分子介导的。这些粘附在发育过程中调节突触的形成，并在成熟的突触功能中发挥作用。重要的是，调节突触发生和轴突再生的基因在整个动物门系中都是保守的。线虫秀丽隐杆线虫的遗传筛选已鉴定出许多突触模式和组装所需的分子。秀丽隐杆线虫即使在神经元功能严重受损的情况下也能够生存。与果蝇相比以及老鼠的复杂性增加，使其对功能受损的耐受性降低。尽管这一事实可能反映了这些生物之间突触中同源蛋白功能的差异，但最有可能的解释是，这些成分中的许多对于突触传递以支持相对较不苛刻的生活方式都同样重要，但并非绝对必要。实验室维护的线虫。在这里，我们回顾对涉及C中突触前机制的主要突触蛋白组的研究。线虫，显示高等生物之间的强烈保守性，并突出了线虫如何 基于简单的神经系统组织，可以用作解剖突触成分的信息工具。