Fig. 7: Graphical abstract of the present research.
From: Nonapoptotic caspase-3 guides C1q-dependent synaptic phagocytosis by microglia
Increased neuronal activity induces nonapoptotic caspase activation at presynapses, probably via mitochondrial accumulation. Caspase activation causes synaptic tagging by C1q, leading to C3 localization at presynapses. Microglial CR3 recognizes C3, inducing synapse-specific phagocytosis by microglia.
