Aberrant development of neuromuscular junctions in glycosylation-defective Large(myd) mice.

Full Abstract

Mice deficient in the glycosyltransferase Large are characterized by severe muscle and central nervous system abnormalities. In this study, we show that the formation and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions in Large(myd) mice are greatly compromised. Neuromuscular junctions are not confined to the muscle endplate zone but are widely spread and are frequently accompanied by exuberant nerve sprouting. Nerve terminals are highly fragmented and binding of alpha-bungarotoxin to postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) is greatly reduced. In vitro, Large(myd) myotubes are responsive to agrin but produce aberrant AChR clusters, which are larger in area and less densely packed with AChRs. In addition, AChR expression on the cell surface is diminished suggesting that AChR assembly or transport is defective. These results together with the finding that O-linked glycosylation at neuromuscular junctions of Large(myd) mice is compromised indicate that the action of Large is necessary for proper neuromuscular junction development.

Author information

Author/s: Herbst, Ruth (R); Iskratsch, Thomas (T); Unger, Ewald (E); Bittner, Reginald E (RE);

Affiliation: Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. ruth.herbst(-atsign-)meduniwien.ac.at

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: Neuromuscular disorders : NMD (Neuromuscul Disord), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-May; vol 19 (issue 5) : pp 366-78

Dates: Created 2009/05/04; Completed 2009/07/28;

PMID: 19346129, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/20/2009, IMS Date: )

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