The function of neuroligins in regulating synapse formation remains controversial. Here, the authors show that neuroligin-1 (NL1) regulates activity-dependent synaptogenesis and mature synapse number on cortical layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in vivo. They find that relative differences in transcellular expression of NL1, rather than absolute expression levels, regulate synapse number.
- Hyung-Bae Kwon
- Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
- Bernardo L Sabatini