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| Research article summary (published 22 Feb 2009): |
Dok-7 activates the muscle receptor kinase MuSK and shapes synapse formation.
Full Abstract
The formation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is orchestrated by the muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK and by neural agrin, an extracellular activator of MuSK. We previously showed that the MuSK-interacting protein Dok-7 is essential for neuromuscular synaptogenesis, although the mechanisms by which Dok-7 regulates MuSK activity and promotes synapse formation have been unclear. Here, we show that Dok-7 directly interacts with the cytoplasmic portion of MuSK and activates the receptor tyrosine kinase, and that neural agrin requires Dok-7 to activate MuSK. In vivo overexpression of Dok-7 increased MuSK activation and promoted NMJ formation. Furthermore, Dok-7 was required for the localization of MuSK in the central region of muscle, which is essential for the correct formation of NMJs in this region. These observations indicate that Dok-7 positively regulates neuromuscular synaptogenesis by controlling MuSK activity, its distribution, and its responsiveness to neural agrin.
Author information
Author/s: Inoue, Akane (A); Setoguchi, Kiyoko (K); Matsubara, Yosuke (Y); Okada, Kumiko (K); Sato, Nozomi (N); Iwakura, Yoichiro (Y); Higuchi, Osamu (O); Yamanashi, Yuji (Y);
Affiliation: Division of Genetics and Department of Cancer Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Science signaling (Sci Signal), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-Feb; vol 2 (issue 59) : pp ra7
Dates: Created 2009/02/26; Completed 2009/06/01;
PMID: 19244212, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/1/2009, IMS Date: )
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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