Neurons transmit information to each other at functional contact sites called synapses. Information transfer involves release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in nerve terminals, binding of neurotransmitter by receptors at the precisely apposed postsynaptic membrane, and generation of an electrical or chemical signal in the postsynaptic cell. Alterations in synapse number and strength underlie neural plasticity, and defects in synaptic circuitry and function underlie some neurological disorders. Thus, proper assembly of appropriate synapses is essential for optimal functioning of the nervous system (1, 2).Pre-and postsynaptic specializations form in precise apposition to each other at sites where axons contact specific target cells. This precision is one indication that signals are exchanged between presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic target cells to organize synaptic differentiation and maturation (3-5). Several molecules have been identified that function as "synaptic organizers" in cultured neurons, and over the past few years, a few have been shown to function in vivo in the mammalian brain (6 -9). The brain contains dozens if not hundreds of different synaptic types, however, and additional organizers likely remain to be identified.To identify novel synaptic organizers, we devised an assay for presynaptic differentiation in isolated, cultured neurons, and used it to guide biochemical purification of active molecules from brain extracts. In initial studies, we showed that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 22 and its close relatives, FGFs 7 and 10, promote differentiation of neuromuscular and cerebellar synapses (7, 10). Some neuronal populations were unresponsive to these FGFs, however, and FGFs accounted for less than half of the active material in brain extracts. We therefore sought additional active species. Here, we show that SIRP-␣ is a presynaptic organizer.SIRP-␣ (signal regulatory protein ␣; also known as PTPNS1, SHPS1, CD172a, BIT, MFR, and p84) is a transmembrane protein with three immunoglobulin domains (11-14). SIRP-␣ is highly expressed in neurons and myeloid cells, and is concentrated at synapses in the brain (11-18). Its intracellular domain has tyrosine residues that, when phosphorylated, can interact with phosphatases to send negative signals downstream. SIRP-␣ is involved in hematopoietic cell functions such as regulation of host cell phagocytosis and clearance, inflammatory mediator production, and control of cell migration (11-13, 19 -22). Little is known about roles of SIRP-␣ in the nervous system, but it is expressed by hippocampal neurons, promotes neurite outgrowth in culture, and enhances the effect of brainderived neurotrophic factor (23-26). Most of these studies, however, focused on intracellular signals transduced by SIRP-␣ when it is engaged by its ligand, CD47/integrin-associated protein (16). Here, in contrast, we show that the extracellular domain of SIRP-␣ is cleaved and acts as a secreted presynaptic organizer. We also show that two little-studied close relative...