Astroglial cradle in the life of the synapse

Abstract

Astroglial perisynaptic sheath covers the majority of synapses in the central nervous system. This glial coverage evolved as a part of the synaptic structure in which elements directly responsible for neurotransmission (exocytotic machinery and appropriate receptors) concentrate in neuronal membranes, whereas multiple molecules imperative for homeostatic maintenance of the synapse (transporters for neurotransmitters, ions, amino acids, etc.) are shifted to glial membranes that have substantially larger surface area. The astrocytic perisynaptic processes act as an ‘astroglial cradle’ essential for synaptogenesis, maturation, isolation and maintenance of synapses, representing the fundamental mechanism contributing to synaptic connectivity, synaptic plasticity and information processing in the nervous system.