Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41655250›Full record

ArticleG3 (Bethesda, Md.)2026

Genome-wide analysis reveals pathways important for the development and maturation of excitatory synaptic connections to GABAergic neurons.

Devyn B Oliver, Shankar Ramachandran, Kasturi Biswas, Claire Y Bénard, Maria Doitsidou, Hailey McKillop, Noelia Genao, Michele L Lemons, Michael M Francis

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in G3 (Bethesda, Md.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Devyn B OliverDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.
Shankar RamachandranDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.
Kasturi BiswasDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.
Claire Y BénardDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-1919-1877
Maria DoitsidouInstitute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9XD, United Kingdom.
Hailey McKillopDepartment of Biological and Physical Sciences, Assumption University, Worcester, MA 01609, United States.
Noelia GenaoDepartment of Biological and Physical Sciences, Assumption University, Worcester, MA 01609, United States.
Michele L LemonsDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.
Michael M FrancisDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-8076-6668

Funding

Molecular Analysis of Neural Circuit Excitation and InhibitionR01NS064263 · NINDS · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · PI FRANCIS, MICHAEL M · 2009 to 2025
$5.5M
In vivo genetic analysis of dendritic spine development and maintenanceF31NS103365 · NINDS · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · PI OLIVER, DEVYN BLAIR · 2018 to 2020
$89k
NIH HHS F31NS103365NINDS NIH HHS F31 NS103365NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS064263NINDS NIH HHS RO1NS064263NSF IOS1754986NSF IOS1755019
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

A high degree of cell and circuit-specific regulation has presented challenges for efforts to precisely define molecular mechanisms controlling synapse formation and maturation. Here, we pursue an unbiased forward genetic approach to identify Caenorhabditis elegans genes involved in the formation and maturation of cholinergic synaptic connections with GABAergic motor neurons as indicated by the distribution of GFP-tagged postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) on GABAergic dendrites. We identified mutations in 3 genes that identify key processes in synapse/circuit maturation. Mutation of the RUN domain (RPIP8, UNC-14, and NESCA) cargo adaptor gene unc-14 dramatically impacts overall GABAergic neuron morphology and dendritic spines. Mutation of the nicotinic acetylcholine alpha subunit gene unc-63 causes a failure in AChR assembly in GABAergic neurons but does not significantly alter dendritic spine structure or abundance. Finally, a mutation in the Liprin-α synaptic scaffold gene syd-2 severely disrupts both dendritic spines and AChR localization. The identification of these 3 genes from our screen highlights how mechanisms for cargo trafficking, receptor assembly, and synapse structural organization each make distinct contributions to synapse assembly and circuit connectivity.

Indexed as

Caenorhabditis elegansGABAergic NeuronsSynapsesAnimalsCaenorhabditis elegans ProteinsDendritic SpinesGenome-Wide Association StudyIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsMutationReceptors, CholinergicReceptors, NicotinicCaenorhabditis elegans ProteinsIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsReceptors, CholinergicReceptors, NicotinicSYD-2 protein, C elegansacetylcholine receptoractive zoneC. elegansdendritic spinesynapsetraffickingWormBase

Identifiers

PMID41655250
PMCPMC13042287

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.