Neural agrin: a synaptic stabiliser.

Full Abstract

Neural agrin is a heparan sulphate proteoglycan first defined by its ability to induce the clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on cultured muscle cells. Neural agrin activates the transmembrane Muscle Specific Kinase (MuSK) on the postsynaptic muscle cell to stabilise the developing neuromuscular synapse. Three biological mechanisms for agrin/MuSK signalling are briefly discussed: selective transcription of synaptic genes such as MuSK itself, to reinforce developing postsynaptic clusters of AChRs; initiation of second messenger signalling pathways that can induce the formation of AChR clusters and retrograde signalling downstream of agrin/MuSK that may transform the growth cone of the motor axon into a stable differentiated nerve terminal, specialised for regulated exocytosis of neurotransmitter. Here we briefly review some key mechanisms through which neural agrin acts to foster the formation of mature neuromuscular synapses.

Author information

Author/s: Ngo, Shyuan T (ST); Noakes, Peter G (PG); Phillips, William D (WD);

Affiliation: Synaptic Biology Group, School of Biomedical Sciences (Physiology), University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology (Int J Biochem Cell Biol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 39 (issue 5) : pp 863-7

Dates: Created 2007/04/20; Completed 2007/08/24;

PMID: 17126587, 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.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.