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| Research article summary (published 24 Apr 2001): |
Distinct roles of nerve and muscle in postsynaptic differentiation of the neuromuscular synapse.
Full Abstract
The development of chemical synapses is regulated by interactions between pre- and postsynaptic cells. At the vertebrate skeletal neuromuscular junction, the organization of an acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-rich postsynaptic apparatus has been well studied. Much evidence suggests that the nerve-derived protein agrin activates muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) to cluster AChRs through the synapse-specific cytoplasmic protein rapsyn. But how postsynaptic differentiation is initiated, or why most synapses are restricted to an 'end-plate band' in the middle of the muscle remains unknown. Here we have used genetic methods to address these issues. We report that the initial steps in postsynaptic differentiation and formation of an end-plate band require MuSK and rapsyn, but are not dependent on agrin or the presence of motor axons. In contrast, the subsequent stages of synaptic growth and maintenance require nerve-derived agrin, and a second nerve-derived signal that disperses ectopic postsynaptic apparatus.
Author information
Author/s: Lin, W (W); Burgess, R W (RW); Dominguez, B (B); Pfaff, S L (SL); Sanes, J R (JR); Lee, K F (KF);
Affiliation: The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Journal: Nature (Nature), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2001-Apr; vol 410 (issue 6832) : pp 1057-64
Dates: Created 2001/04/27; Completed 2001/06/07; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 11323662, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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