Principles of synaptogenesis: Insights from Caenorhabditis elegans

Synapses are specialized junctions that facilitate communication between neurons and their target cells, playing pivotal roles in neuronal signaling, circuit wiring, and neural activity. Research using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans has been instrumental in characterizing nervous system connectivity and uncovering the underlying genetic basis of synapse assembly, refinement, and remodeling in vivo. Recent advancements in C. elegans gene editing, microscopy, single-cell transcriptome profiling, and computational analysis have significantly advanced the field, enabling mechanistic insights into synapse formation and regulation during development and neural activity. In this review, we describe our current understanding of synapse formation, organization, and refinement based on insights gleaned from C. elegans, highlighting recent discoveries and discussing open questions and future directions.