Dual inhibition of SNARE complex formation by tomosyn ensures controlled neurotransmitter release.

Neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminals is regulated by soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex-mediated synaptic vesicle fusion. Tomosyn inhibits SNARE complex formation and neurotransmitter release by sequestering syntaxin-1 through its C-terminal vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-like domain (VLD). However, in tomosyn-deficient mice, the SNARE complex formation is unexpectedly decreased.

Synaptic scaffolding molecule alpha is a scaffold to mediate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent RhoA activation in dendrites.

Synaptic scaffolding molecule (S-SCAM) interacts with a wide variety of molecules at excitatory and inhibitory synapses. It comprises three alternative splicing variants, S-SCAMalpha, -beta, and -gamma. We generated mutant mice lacking specifically S-SCAMalpha.

Antitumor NK activation induced by the Toll-like receptor 3-TICAM-1 (TRIF) pathway in myeloid dendritic cells.

Myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) recognize and respond to polyI:C, an analog of dsRNA, by endosomal Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and cytoplasmic receptors. Natural killer (NK) cells are activated in vivo by the administration of polyI:C to mice and in vivo are reciprocally activated by mDCs, although the molecular mechanisms are as yet undetermined. Here, we show that the TLR adaptor TICAM-1 (TRIF) participates in mDC-derived antitumor NK activation.