Posttranslational modifications of neuroligins regulate neuronal and glial signaling

This review covers the dynamic regulation of neuroligin isoforms, focusing on posttranslational events including phosphorylation, glycosylation and activity-dependent cleavage. There is a growing literature on how phosphorylation confers an isoform-specific level of modulation affecting a variety of protein interactions. In addition, recent studies describe activity-dependent proteolytic cleavage of neuroligins, revealing a broader role for neuroligins than just synaptic 'glue'. Interesting new research implicates the cleaved extracellular fragments of neuroligins in promoting glioma. These reports on cell signaling mediated by the cleavage products of neuroligins suggest novel and important roles for neuroligins in neuro-glial signaling.