Specific cell adhesion molecules regulate the cell-type specific synapse formation of chandelier cells in the cortex

Chandelier cells are inhibitory interneurons that selectively innervate the axon initial segment of pyramidal neurons in the cortex. This synapse placement allows them to suppress the initiation of action potentials in the contacted neurons. Using a combination of genetic and optical methods we discovered a specific cell adhesion molecule that regulates the cell-type specific synapse formation of chandelier cells. Disrupting the associated gene in either the pyramidal neurons or chandelier cells leads to serious malformations in the neural network.